EU initiatives working on furan-based polymers

Engineering high performance biocoatings from renewable reactive building blocks – BIORING develops biobased building blocks that allow the formulation of novel high-performance biocoatings with enhanced thermomechanical performance, providing a viable alternative to existing fossil-based ones. Their recycling and biodegradability are tested in view of end-of-life (EoL) real scenarios.

The EU-funded REBIOLUTION project is dedicated to developing and introducing groundbreaking, fully bio-based and biodegradable polyester blends. These innovative materials can be used in various sectors. The adoption of these alternative polyester blends could play a crucial role in replacing plastic in applications such as food packaging and agricultural mulch film. By reducing plastic usage and waste, the project aims to make substantial contributions towards mitigating the environmental damage caused by plastic.

In the REPurpose project, local post-consumer waste is upcycled to new functional REP polymers targeting high-value thermoplasicts, with applications in the consumer goods, automotive and building industry. 
These polymers feature tunable multifunctional thermoplastics properties and can be produced, processed, and recycled using existing industrial equipment. Designed according to a safe-and-sustainable-by-design approach, these polymers eliminate the need for toxic and polluting additives. 
REP products will also be reusable and repairable through Design for Deconstruction, which introduces controlled breakpoints in the polymer structure to enable efficient disassembly. 
REP polymers offer unprecedented, potentially indefinite recyclability along with controlled degradation in different environments, surpassing traditional fossil-based plastics at every recycling stage. 
The project brings together a cross-sectoral value chain, connecting waste managers, recyclers, technology developers, regulatory stakeholders, producers, and end-users to create an enabling ecosystem for circular and sustainable plastics.

CUBIC is a Horizon Europe project dedicated to improving the circularity of complex plastic multi-material composites by developing novel biobased materials—including advanced bio-epoxy systems, biobased polyamides, and lignin-derived carbon fibres—and converting them into high-performance B2B semi-finished products that are more recyclable and sustainable. The project demonstrates innovative design, manufacturing, and recycling processes aimed at replacing conventional composites with scalable, environmentally responsible alternatives suitable for sectors such as energy, automotive, and advanced manufacturing.

To mitigate environmental harm and enhance recycling efficiency while reducing costs, the development of innovative value chains and waste management systems is imperative. The EU-funded ELLIPSE project is dedicated to this objective by proposing a groundbreaking waste stream that integrates waste generated from slaughterhouses and paper and pulp sludge processes. This waste would be used in the production of PHAs, benefiting both the agricultural and packaging sectors. Consequently, this initiative would curtail waste accumulation in landfills, minimise pollution, and bolster recycling efforts. Additionally, it would contribute to the preservation of resources and generate revenue for associated industries. Moreover, the project relies on locally available and renewable feedstocks, enabling the processing of substantial amounts of waste.

Novel fibre substrates are needed to replace conventional materials and reduce the pressure to use woody biomass to the extent that the carbon sink of forested land is put at risk. FIBSUN looks to optimise all aspects of novel bio-based fibre value chains – from cultivation practices and industrial processes to business models and understanding of consumer needs. To avoid clearing of forests or compromising agricultural production, it uses degraded soils and marginal land to cultivate biomass feedstocks. FIBSUN will develop solutions for the construction, automotive and textile industries. Industrial processes demand optimisation with regards to energy and feedstock use. FIBSUN will study key factors for assessing the sustainability of biorefineries: feedstock types, conversion technologies and their respective conversion and energy efficiencies, manufactured product types (including co-products), and what products can be substituted by biobased products. In fact, exploitation of novel biomass types has the potential to revitalise areas suffering from socioeconomic difficulties caused by land degradation and pollution caused by conventional industries.

The THERMOFIRE project aims to be a pioneer in this field, consequently, the flame retardancy of the 100% bio-based composites will be deeply developed and investigated. Fire retardancy is a key property of materials used for applications in the automotive, aerospace and textile sectors due to the need to minimize fire risk and meet safety requirements. In the THERMOFIRE project up to 100% bio-based polymers will be reinforced with different natural fibers (e.g. regenerated cellulose from wood and commercial flax) and bio-based flame retardants aiming at giving excellent flame retardancy to the final bio-based thermoplastic (TP) composites. The innovation of THERMOFIRE relies on the development of high-performance composites with a 20% reduction in weight and 15% in cost while maintaining the required levels of safety suitable for applications under stringent operating conditions. THERMOFIRE project represents a genuine opportunity to remove Europe’s dependence on imports of fossil-based polymers for stringent operating conditions in the aerospace, automotive and textile sectors.

ROBUSTOO aims to strengthen Europe’s position in industrial biotechnology by advancing bio-based chemical and material production. Building on past EU projects, it will demonstrate large-scale production and optimization of three key oxidative enzymes—UPOs, laccases, and HMFOs—tailored for industrial needs. Using advanced bioprospecting, microbial engineering, and enzyme development, the consortium will optimize and pilot bio-transformations, enabling biotech SMEs and research centres to convert industrial lignins into bio-based resins, produce specialty chemicals through targeted oxygenation, and synthesize 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid sustainably. These innovations support Europe’s green transition and circular economy goals.

POLYMEER aims to establish a sustainable bio-based value chain for bioplastic products, using brewers’ spent grain (BSG) as feedstock. Focused on agricultural films, brewery tertiary packaging, and automotive textiles, the project designs bioplastics to be recyclable and/or biodegradable for environmental sustainability.

BIOPYRANIA aims to produce new classes of polyamides (PA) and polybenzimidazole (PBI) from biobased aromatic monomers, synthesized from amino acids obtained from second-generation (2G) woody biomass. The ultimate goal is to provide high- performance, environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuel products, responding to growing industry demands and European sustainability regulations such as the Sustainable Product Initiative (SPI). New polymers, for strategic sectors such as electric mobility and clean hydrogen, will help reduce dependence on fossil resources, promoting a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.