Horizon Europe CIRCBIO-01 2026 — Improving Circularity of Multilayer Flexible Plastic Food Contact Packaging

Enriched EU · Found: 2026-03-14 21:30

Innovation Action call under Horizon Europe Cluster 6 targeting industrial-scale innovations to enable circular use of food-contact multilayer flexible plastic packaging, with EUR 11 million budget and deadline 17 September 2026.

Source: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-cl6-2026-01-circbio-01

Funding Details

Funder

European Research Executive Agency (REA) — Horizon Europe Cluster 6

Funding Goal

Improve circularity of multilayer flexible plastic food contact packaging through industrial-scale innovations enabling circular use and reduction of plastic packaging waste

Funding Amount

Budget EUR 11 million; single topic budget; Innovation Actions typically 70% co-funding for commercial entities, 100% for non-profits/research (11.000.000 € – 11.000.000 €)

Deadline

2026-09-17 (Fixed)

How to Apply

Two-stage call opening 17 April 2026. Stage 1 concept notes due 17 September 2026. Submit via EU F&T Portal. Topic: HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-01.

Target Region

EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries

Contact

REA Cluster 6 team; research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe

Official Page

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-cl6-2026-01-circbio-01-two-stage

Last Checked

2026-03-15 08:22

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Consortium of 3+ entities from 3+ countries required
• NGOs eligible as consortium partners for engagement/policy roles
• Industrial partners required for scale-up demonstration

Project Scope

• Multilayer flexible plastic food contact packaging specifically targeted
• Industrial-scale recycling technology demonstration required

Required Documents

• Two-stage: Stage 1 concept note due 17 September 2026
• Call opens 17 April 2026 on F&T Portal

Constraints

• Primarily EU-focused; no developing country scope

Summary

HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-01 targets improving the circularity of multilayer flexible plastic food contact packaging, one of the most problematic categories of plastic waste due to its complex multi-material composition that makes recycling technically challenging. The call funds industrial-scale innovation projects that demonstrate new recycling technologies, collection systems, or redesign approaches that enable these materials to enter circular loops rather than being landfilled or incinerated. The call is part of the broader CIRCBIO call opening 17 April 2026, comprising 11 topics across circular economy and bioeconomy challenges. The topic budget is EUR 11 million. This is a two-stage call with concept notes due 17 September 2026 and full proposals in a second stage. Innovation Actions at 70% co-funding (100% for non-profit and research organisations). Consortia must include industrial partners capable of demonstrating at industrial scale. Research institutions provide technological expertise while industry demonstrates at scale. NGOs can participate in roles related to consumer engagement, waste collection network design, or policy uptake. The research focus is primarily on improving recycling technology for flexible multilayer packaging rather than on collection infrastructure or developing country value chains.

Historical Context

CIRCBIO calls run annually within Horizon CL6 work programmes. 2025 CIRCBIO calls closed October 2025. 2026 CIRCBIO call opens April 17, 2026.

Why it was added

grant-scan-list6-2026-03-14

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