Focus Area - Circular Economy

Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies - Nanotechnologies, Advanced Materials, Advanced Manufacturing and Processing, and Biotechnology (LEIT-NMBP): European high-tech building blocks serving the circular economy

The Sustainable Process Industries (SPIRE) initiative, addressing eight key European industrial sectors, is enabling a more efficient use of resources (raw materials, water etc.) and energy (including renewables); high-tech and eco-efficient production facilities and materials; and minimising and re-using waste, including CO₂ (and other gaseous effluents). The priorities for the period 2018-2020 are in adaptable processes able to use different feedstock and alternative energy sources; recovery of industrial water and of the energy and substances it contains; innovation on plastic materials; making the most of mineral waste, by-products and recycled material; and new methods including digitisation for process optimisation.

Budget €370 million

Societal Challenge 2 'Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy' (SC2): the bio-economy aspects of the circular economy

The activities help to increase efficiency and minimise losses and waste throughout primary production, the food chain and bio based industries. They include social innovation as a powerful driver for solutions. Life-cycle assessment, de-toxification and measurement tools can boost the secondary raw materials market.

These activities help to add value to terrestrial and aquatic biological resources and develop new avenues for putting in place the '3R principles' of Reducing, Reusing and Recycling. Residues from agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries, and other organic waste streams will be valorized as biowaste in bio-refineries aimed at the integrated production of food, bio-based products and energy.

Budget €253 million, including €100 million for access to risk finance

Societal Challenge 3 'Secure, clean and efficient energy' (SC3): reuse of carbon dioxide

Using captured CO₂ and hydrogen made from renewable energy to produce fuels is not only a means to replace fossil fuels, but also a promising solution for seasonal energy storage. These activities are complemented by ongoing activities in SPIRE.

Budget €12 million

Societal Challenge 5 'Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials' (SC5): transition to circular economy business models and practices, and sustainable sourcing or raw materials, also from secondary sources

The R&I activities are investigating new products, processes, services, and business models, to use raw materials and other resources more efficiently and effectively in production and consumption. Research is investigating the consequences of the transition to the circular economy, in order to identify potential risks, side-effects, environmental impact and regulatory challenges, as well as policies that can effectively support the transition and mitigate potential adverse effects. Demonstration actions focus on circular economy approaches in water management and in urban contexts. Digital solutions should play an important role as enablers of the circular economy.

Budget €306 million

Innovation deals

The Circular Economy Finance Support Platform

An inducement prize in frugal innovation

Open Innovation and innovative business models

International cooperation

Networking of projects and stakeholders