Improving availability of secondary raw materials through recycling (Horizon Europe Cluster 4)

Enriched – · Found: 2026-03-13 15:31

Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-14 funding innovations to increase secondary raw materials from recycling. Supports plastic waste transformation into products via circular value chains. IA type, EUR 28M budget, 70% funding rate (100% for nonprofits), deadline 21.04.2026.

Source: https://www.euro-access.eu/en/calls/2584/Improving-availability-of-secondary-raw-materials-through-recycling

Funding Details

Funder

European Commission / Horizon Europe (Cluster 4)

Funding Goal

Fund innovations to improve availability of secondary raw materials (metals and critical raw materials) through high-quality recycling systems located in the EU, covering the full chain from collection, logistics, characterisation, disassembly, separation, shredding, sorting, cleaning, refining, and purification of secondary raw materials.

Funding Amount

Estimated EU contribution up to EUR 7,500,000 per project; total call budget EUR 28,000,000. Funding rate 70% (100% for NPOs). (up to 7.500.000 €)

Deadline

2026-04-21 (Fixed)

How to Apply

Electronic submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Part A (online) covers administrative info; Part B (PDF upload) covers technical description. Page limit 43+3 pages for Part B. Applications at: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-cl4-2026-01-mat-prod-14

Target Region

EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries; international cooperation encouraged with strategic partner countries on raw materials

Contact

National Contact Points for Horizon Europe: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp

Official Page

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-cl4-2026-01-mat-prod-14

Last Checked

2026-03-15 11:10

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from different countries required
• At least 1 consortium member must be established in an EU Member State
• Industrial partners from recycling sector must play prominent role

Project Scope

• Focus must be on metals (not plastics or organics) — downcycling is out of scope
• Projects must start at TRL 5 and achieve TRL 7 by project end

Required Documents

• Business case and exploitation strategy must be included in Part B (up to 43+3 pages)
• Part A (administrative) completed online; Part B (technical) uploaded as PDF
• Plan for exploitation, dissemination and communication activities required

Constraints

• Participation limited to EU/associated countries, OECD, AU, MERCOSUR, and strategic partner countries
• Entities controlled >50% by Russian parties are not eligible

Summary

The Horizon Europe Cluster 4 call on 'Improving availability of secondary raw materials through recycling' (topic HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-14) aims to fund innovative recycling systems for metals and critical raw materials (CRMs) in the EU. The call is part of the 2026-2027 Horizon Europe Work Programme, with a total budget of EUR 28 million and estimated contributions of up to EUR 7.5 million per project. The thematic scope covers the complete recycling chain: collection, logistics, characterisation, disassembly, separation, shredding, sorting, cleaning, refining, and purification of secondary raw materials. Downcycling (reducing quality/functionality) is explicitly excluded. Projects must demonstrate new or improved recycling systems that increase resource efficiency and reduce impacts on biodiversity. Bioremediation, reuse, and remanufacturing are also within scope for clustering activities. Eligible activities include demonstrating high-quality recycling technologies at TRL 5 to 7, with a credible strategy for future full-scale EU deployment. Projects must include a business case, an exploitation and dissemination plan, and a dedicated work package for cross-project cooperation. International cooperation with EU strategic partner countries (especially Ukraine) is encouraged. Geographically, all EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries are eligible. Participation is limited to entities from these countries plus OECD nations, African Union members, MERCOSUR, CARIFORUM, and countries with EU raw materials strategic partnerships. Entities from Russia, Belarus, and non-government-controlled parts of Ukraine are excluded. Eligible applicants include any legal entity type (universities, companies, NGOs, public bodies, SMEs) as long as they form a consortium of at least 3 independent entities in different countries (at least 1 EU Member State). Industrial partners from the recycling sector must play a prominent role. NPOs/NGOs receive 100% funding rate; other entities receive 70%. Target beneficiaries are the EU raw materials supply chain ecosystem, with impacts measured against Critical Raw Materials Act objectives: 25% recycled CRMs by 2030.

Historical Context

Part of Horizon Europe 2026-2027 Work Programme, Cluster 4 - Digital, Industry and Space. Aligns with the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) enacted May 2024, targeting 25% of EU annual consumption of Strategic Raw Materials from recycled sources by 2030.

Sources

• https://www.euro-access.eu/en/calls/2584/Improving-availability-of-secondary-raw-materials-through-recycling
• https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-cl4-2026-01-mat-prod-14

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