The current plastic production is based on fossil resources and is associated with much waste, environmental damage, and health damage due to, among other things, microplastics. Therefore, there is a need for new plastics that are biobased or based on CO2 polymers that are biodegradable. Additionally, they are reusable and well-integrated into the current plastic chain. They also have a reduced environmental and health impact. The challenge here is to prevent harmful leakages into the environment, such as litter, microplastics, or wear. Besides the technical aspects, the socio-economic aspect must also be designed. To reduce leakages, a different form of consumption and business operation is also needed.

This call is developed in collaboration with the Knowledge and Innovation Agenda Circular Economy 2024-2027 (KIA CE) and focuses on the transition from fossil-based plastic chains to sustainable plastics. The aim is to solve both the technical and economic challenges of new plastics. Therefore, this call is open to scientists from the exact and technical sciences, as well as the social and business sciences. To ensure good alignment with practice, it is necessary to involve companies in the plastic chain in the application. These can be plastic producers, users, or waste processing organizations.

Plastics here are not limited to plastics, but also include coatings, composites, paints, and rubbers.

Meetings

For this call, it is important that both the technical and socio-economic aspects are highlighted, and at the same time, there is also a connection with practice. Therefore, it is important that a consortium is formed between different parties. To support this, NWO is organizing a matchmaking meeting on May 13 in Utrecht. Here, interested parties can meet each other, and registration can be done via the link. The meeting is not mandatory but recommended.

Additionally, NWO is also organizing an online information session on April 15. Here, you can ask questions about this call.

Budget

A total of seven million euros is available. NWO finances a maximum of 70% of the project. The remaining 30% must be paid by (private) co-financing. At least two co-financiers must be involved in the consortium. Per application, a minimum of 750,000 euros and a maximum of 2,000,000 euros can be applied for.

Timeline

• April 15, 2025, online information session
• May 13, 2025, matchmaking meeting
• June 24, 2025, 14:00, deadline for declarations of intent
• September 16, 2025, 14:00, deadline for full applications

NWO-KIC: Innovation Programs in the Knowledge and Innovation Agreement

NWO develops innovation programs aimed at the societal challenges of the Netherlands with the goal of achieving impact for the economy, people, and society. In these programs, the emphasis is on collaboration between knowledge institutions, private parties, and government. The results contribute to realizing economic opportunities. Therefore, it is essential that private parties invest in each research project.