In line with the objectives of the Circular Economy[1] and Zero Pollution Action Plan[2], and the EU Plastics Strategy[3] and the recommendation in the Communication – EU policy framework on bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics[4] the successful proposals will facilitate the deployment of sustainable bio-based biodegradable materials and products for applications in soil.
Successful proposals will also contribute to the implementation of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy[5] and the updated EU Industrial Strategy[6]. Moreover, successful proposals will deliver significant contribution to the objectives of the R&I Missions ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’, in particular objectives ‘Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration’ and ‘Prevent erosion’, as well as Mission ‘Restore our Oceans and Waters by 2030’ in particular ‘Make the blue economy carbon-neutral and circular’ and ‘Prevent and eliminate pollution of our oceans, seas and waters’.
Project results should contribute to the following expected outcomes:
Some plastics applications such as those in agriculture, infrastructure or landscaping are intended to be used in the open environment. Plastic mulch films, for example, are used extensively within a range of arable and horticultural cropping settings to prevent evaporation of water from the soil, avoid fluctuations in soil temperature, protect the crops and increase their yield. Geotextiles and geomembranes find widespread application in landscaping, construction and roadworks to stabilise and improve mechanical properties of soil, collect and transport groundwater and prevent contamination between different kinds of soil. Additional plastics applications in agriculture include greenhouses, pheromones dispensers, clips, pots, etc. The improper or unintentional disposal of plastic products and their degradation may result in soil pollution and environmental contamination. While in some cases recovery from the environment for reuse or recycling would be feasible, for some applications it is either impossible or disproportionally expensive and biodegradable (in soil) alternatives may be preferable, provided that the products are able to meet technical performance requirements throughout their use.
Proposals under this topic should:
Proposals should seek for links and complementarities and avoid overlaps with past, ongoing and upcoming EU funded projects, including those funded under H2020, HEU[10] , the BBI JU and CBE JU [11], and the Missions ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ and ’Restore our oceans and water’. Collaboration among projects from the same topic are encouraged.
Proposals should also describe their contribution to the Specific CBE JU requirements, presented in section 2.2.3.1 of the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2024[12].
[1]Brussels, 11.3.2020 COM(2020) 98 final
[2]Brussels, 12.05.2021, COM(2021) 400 final
[3]https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/plastics-strategy_en
[4]https://environment.ec.europa.eu/publications/communication-eu-policy-framework-biobased-biodegradable-and-compostable-plastics_en.
[5]Updated Bioeconomy Strategy 2018.
[6]Brussels, 5.5.2021 COM(2021) 350 final.
[7]For biodegradability in soil refer to existing standards, when applicable, e.g., EN 17033:2018 for biodegradable mulch films. Also, taking into account the progress of the upcoming revision of the Regulation on fertilising product.
[8]See document defining the framework and criteria: Safe and sustainable by design.
[9]More specifically, provide thresholds that can support the criteria definition and improvements for the assessment SSbD methodologies, including any specificities related with bio-based plastics. Recommendations should also include identification of data gaps, especially safety, environmental, but also socio-economic factors, as well as priorities for data collection.
[10]Such as FIRST2RUN (H2020-BBI-JTI-2014), GRACE (H2020-BBI-JTI-2016), UNLOCK (H2020-BBI-JTI-2020),REBIOLUTION (HORIZON-CL6-2022-CIRCBIO-02-two-stage), MINAGRIS (H2020-SFS-2020-2), PAPILLON (H2020-SFS-2020-2), ELLIPSE (HORIZON-JU-CBE-2022).
[11]For example, ‘HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-R-05 Pre-normative research to develop standards for biodegradability of bio-based products in controlled and in open environments’
[12]https://www.cbe.europa.eu/reference-documents
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