search

Moreover, in January 2018, the European Commission took a big decision to combat plastic pollution when it adopted the European strategy for plastics in a circular economy. The Commission aims at developing a plastic circular economy throughout the value chain and the entire life cycle. To reach the strategic goals, there will be additional European funding opportunities for plastics and recycling players. Luxinnovation’s European funding team is here to help you understand the calls, prepare your application and find partners. In addition to helping you for your Horizon 2020 application, Luxinnovation’s EcoInnovation and Materials & Manufacturing Cluster are involved in helping Luxembourg plastics players move towards a more sustainable plastics economy.

Horizon 2020 funding opportunities

The Plastics Strategy is having a big impact on Horizon 2020 funding. By the end of 2020, an additional €100 million euros will be devoted to financing priority actions, including the development of smarter and more recyclable plastics materials, more efficient recycling processes and the removal of hazardous substances and contaminants from recycled plastics.

Examples of forthcoming calls

More Horizon 2020 calls will soon be published. To stay up to date, register to our Horizon 2020 newsletter. Luxinnovation’s EU Funding team is there to help and support, should you wish to learn more about the plastic related calls. Please contact EU Funding Advisor Sanna Alaranta for more information.

Cluster actions

Luxinnovation’s EcoInnovation and Materials & Manufacturing Cluster are engaged in the plastics economy transformation in Luxembourg. The Clusters have launched a cross-sector initiative on plastics recycling throughout the value chain. The Clusters have organised roundtables and workshops involving key Luxembourg plastics players. During these informal meetings, participants were able to share challenges they have encountered regarding a specific topic and look for solutions togetherIn addition to these roundtables, the Luxembourg EcoInnovation Cluster and the Luxembourg Materials & Manufacturing Cluster will organise an event with plastics players of the Greater Region by the end of the year. Please contact Flagship Projects Manager Anja Höthker for more information on the Cluster actions.

Background of the Plastics Strategy

Concerned about the importance of plastics as a material in our economy and by its negative impact on the environment, the European Commission adopted the European strategy for plastics in a circular economy. It aims at ensuring that, by 2030, all plastic packaging is reusable or recyclable in a cost effective manner. The Strategy is part of the broader 2015 EU action plan for the circular economy and the 2008 Waste Framework Directive. It will also contribute to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement and the EU’s industrial policy objectives.

Legislation changes resulting from the Strategy

In order to improve the economics and quality of plastics recycling, new quality standards for plastic waste and recycled plastics have been introduced. The Commission has also planned to revise the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and to issue new guidelines on separate collection and sorting of waste.

In its efforts to curb plastic waste and littering, the Commission proposed in January 2018 a revised directive on port reception facilities for the delivery of waste from ships. In May 2018, the Commission proposed a new directive to tackle marine litter, which targets the 10 single-use plastic products most often found on Europe’s beaches and seas, as well as in lost and abandoned fishing gear. These proposed directives build on existing rules such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and complement other actions taken against marine pollution, such as under the Port Reception Facilities Directive.

The Commission is also seeking to impose restrictions on microplastics and oxo-degradable plastics via the REACH regulation. On 10 July 2018, the European Parliament’s environment committee included in its draft report a motion for a European parliament resolution to ban microplastics and oxo-degradable plastics. The European Parliament will debate on the strategy on 12 September and vote one day later.

Finally, for driving investment and innovation towards circular solutions, the Commission plans to develop a Strategic Research Innovation Agenda on plastics to provide orientation for research and innovation funding beyond 2020.

Luxinnovation is the National Contact Point for Horizon 2020, the European framework programme for research and innovation. Building on our decade-long experience of EU funding programmes, we are able to respond to questions on where to get up-to-date information on programmes and calls for project proposals, what programmes are the most suitable for you or where and how to find European partners.

Read more

Innovation and research: The impact of EU-funded projects

20-02-2024

A report highlights the significant contribution of the EU’s 2014-2020 funding programme Horizon 2020 to implementing EU policies and addressing societal needs.
Read more

Call for proposals: Deployment actions in the field of cybersecurity

26-01-2024

If you are working on cybersecurity and are looking for your next European-funded project, you can benefit from grants under the Digital Europe programme. The current call for proposals on deployment actions in the area of cybersecurity (DIGITAL-ECCC-2024-DEPLOY-CYBER-06) covers several topics. Applications close in March 2024.
Read more

The Pathways2Resilience first call for applicants is now open

09-01-2024

Pathways2Resilience is a flagship project under the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change as it aims to support at least 100 European regions and communities to co-design locally led resilience pathways.
Read more

Europe’s Rail call for proposals 2023 open

19-12-2023

Projects worth €21,2 million are expected to be funded under the Europe’s Rail call for proposals 2023 covering Flagship Area 1, dedicated to network management planning and control, mobility management in a multimodal environment and digital enablers, as well as Destination 8, answering to exploratory research and other activities. The application period is open until 7 February 2024 at 17:00 CET.
Read more

EIC Work Programme 2024 officially adopted

14-12-2023

The European Commission has just adopted the 2024 Work Programme of the European Innovation Council (EIC), Europe’s flagship programme to identify, develop and scale up breakthrough technologies and game-changing innovations.
Read more

All news

Close