In a circular economy, we reuse raw materials and products, resulting in almost no waste. Companies and research organizations collaborating to research or develop circular products, processes, and services can apply for several new subsidies in April and May. This includes polyesters for plastics, coatings, and resins based on bio-based materials (EKOO Biobased Circular) and the processing of plastic waste (EKOO Circular Plastics). Or for other new products, processes, and services (EKOO Circular Economy other than circular plastics or biobased circular, also known as the KIA CE).
Subsidies for Collaborations
Within the Energy and Climate Research and Development (EKOO) scheme, companies and research organizations collaborate on an innovation project. The partners aim for an innovative, circular product or production process, or an innovative, circular service. The innovation must be on the market by 2035 and have a positive environmental impact. This includes reducing CO2 emissions, using raw materials more efficiently, and reducing the ecological footprint (the amount of land or water area one person needs for consumption needs and processing the waste that results).
More Attention for Circularity
To contribute to the CO2 targets from the Climate Agreement, there is increasing attention for circularity. This is now also within the EKOO scheme. Under this theme, there are 3 subsidies. Two of these are completely new: the EKOO Biobased Circular and EKOO Circular Plastics. The EKOO Circular Economy scheme (other than circular plastics or biobased circular) is an old acquaintance in a new guise. This subsidy is also known as KIA CE.
More Chance of Subsidy for Circular Innovations
The subsidies within the EKOO scheme are tenders. This means that the highest-scoring applications receive funding until the budget is exhausted. Now that there are special tenders for circular innovations, the subsidy applications for this only compete with other applications for circular innovations. And no longer with other industrial technologies and processes. This increases the chance that circular innovations receive funding.
EKOO Biobased Circular
This new subsidy stems from the National Growth Fund Program Biobased Circular. Applications for research and development of polyesters for plastics, coatings, and resins based on bio-based materials receive funding. It should involve developing new chemical building blocks, new production processes, or new applications.
EKOO Circular Plastics
This subsidy is also new and is linked to the circular plastic standard. The aim of this standard is to use more recycled and bio-based raw materials (circular polymers) in plastics. This ensures that fewer fossil raw materials are needed. Applications aimed at reducing the use of fossil raw materials in the production of plastics receive funding through the EKOO Circular Plastics. It involves developing new products or production processes, or improving the processing of plastic waste.
EKOO Circular Economy (other than circular plastics or biobased circular)
This subsidy is specifically for research and development projects to realize circular products, processes, and services within the Netherlands. The focus is on specific product groups within the manufacturing industry, construction, infrastructure, and consumer goods. Within these product groups, there is also special attention for the security of supply of critical raw materials. These are materials that are important for the economy and society, but for which we are not sure if we will have enough in the future.
Apply for Subsidy
More information about the subsidies and application periods can be found at:
Want to Know More?
- Read more about the National Growth Fund Program Biobased Circular.
- Read more about plastics at the Knowledge Square.
- Read more about circular economy.
- Ministry of Climate and Green Growth