CFPs: Bio-Based and Biodegradable Delivery Systems for Fertilising Products to Reduce Microplastics Pollution & Promote Soil Health

Deadline: 18 September 2025

The European Commission is seeking proposals for the Bio-Based and Biodegradable Delivery Systems for Fertilising Products to Reduce Microplastics Pollution & Promote Soil Health topic.

Scope

The presence of microplastics in soil has been reported to alter soil organic matter content, pH, electrical conductivity and organic carbon storage. It is estimated that 8 000 tonnes of polymers are used annually in the EU in polymer coated fertilisers (PCF). PCF can be used as additives to improve physical properties of fertilisers or to produce slow/controlled release fertilisers (SRF/CRF). CRFs help synchronise nutrients release according to crop needs, increasing efficiency and reducing losses to the environment. Non-biodegradable plastics accumulate in the ecosystem, can be assimilated by animals and can be ultimately consumed as food by humans. Each year around 42 000 tonnes of microplastics end up in the environment. Polymer coated fertilisers have been identified by FAO as high priority in terms of risk of microplastic release. Bio-based biodegradable polymers may be an alternative to conventional non-biodegradable plastics. However, more research is needed to develop such biodegradable delivery systems and validate them while assessing improvements associated to microplastics release prevention.
Proposals under this topic should:
- Develop circular and sustainable production processes for novel bio-based and biodegradable delivery system(s) for fertilising products. In addition, assess the applicability/adaptability of the delivery system(s) to additional possible agricultural inputs such as pesticides and seeds.
- Validate the delivery system(s) for fertilising products (lab-scale and/or small-scale field trials), ensuring agronomic efficiency, safety, scalability and sustainability with similar or improved properties compared to conventional systems.
- Assess the long-term effect and biodegradability of delivery system(s) when applied in natural soil conditions, applying standard tests, methods and protocols. Biodegradability-related aspects should also be monitored and assessed in fresh, estuarine or marine water (considering the risk of dispersion in water).
In addition to the specific requirements applicable for the type of action, as described in section 2.2.3.1 of the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2025, proposals under this topic should:
- Include a task to apply the safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) framework, developed by the European Commission considering the delivery systems and their decomposition products (including microplastics), and taking into account different farming systems (including organic agriculture). Under this context, projects are expected to also contribute with and develop recommendations that can advance further the application of the SSbD framework.

Funding Information

Bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems for fertilising products to reduce microplastics pollution & promote soil health – €7 million.

Expected Outcomes

Successful proposals will contribute to the implementation of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and the updated EU Industrial strategy. Moreover, successful proposals will deliver significant contribution to the R&I Missions ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’, in particular objectives ‘Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration’, as well as Mission “Restore their Ocean and Waters by 2030” in particular ‘Prevent and eliminate pollution of their oceans, seas and waters’ (including microplastics). In addition, there is an expected contribution on the delegated act introducing biodegradability criteria for polymers (such as coating agents) in the context EU fertilising products regulation.

Eligibility Criteria

Entities eligible to participate:
- Entities eligible to participate Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including legal entities from nonassociated third countries or international organisations (including international European research organisations) is eligible to participate (whether it is eligible for funding or not), provided that the conditions laid down in the Horizon Europe Regulation have been met, along with any other conditions laid down in the specific call/topic.
- A ‘legal entity’ means any natural or legal person created and recognised as such under national law, EU law or international law, which has legal personality and which may, acting in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations, or an entity without legal personality .
Entities eligible for funding :
- To become a beneficiary, legal entities must be eligible for funding. To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
  - the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions:
    - Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
  - the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States:
    - Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curação (NL), French Polynesia (FR), French Southern and Antarctic Territories (FR), Greenland (DK), New Caledonia (FR), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL), St. Pierre and Miquelon (FR), Wallis and Futuna Islands (FR).
  - countries associated to Horizon Europe;
    - Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.