DeremCo Open Call for SMEs supporting Innovative Solutions Projects

Deadline: 4 September 2024

DeremCo has launched an open call that aims to support projects that present innovative solutions in line with DeremCo’s core objectives and exhibit a high level of Technological Readiness (TRL>7).

DeremCo is an I3 project financed under the Interregional Innovation Investments call I3-2021- INV1 with the aim to enhance post-use composite product management in the circular economy. With a focus on precision and effectiveness, DeremCo. seeks to establish demand-driven Circular Economy solutions for fiber-reinforced plastics, emphasizing cost-effective reuse for the creation of high-value products. To meet consumer requirements DeremCo employs two circular pilot strategies:

mechanical demanufacturing and hybrid reprocessing, and
thermo-chemical demanufacturing and textile reprocessing.

It plans to implement 14 composite re-use cases in various regions Austria (Upper, Lower and Carinthia), Basque Country (Spain), Centro (Portugal), Italy (Lombardy, Lazio, Umbria), Flanders (Belgium), Länsi-Suomi (Finland), Slovenia (Estern and Western), testing their sustainability in economic, social, and environmental aspects.

Funding Information

The overall amount of the DeremCo budget dedicated to the 1 st open call of the FSTP mechanism corresponds to EUR 660,000.
A maximum amount of EUR 60,000 (Euro sixty thousand) per legal entity. This means that in case of projects submitted by a consortium of two applicants, the total budget of the project can be up to EUR 120,000; in case of three applicants, the total budget of the project can be up to EUR 180,000.
The maximum duration of each project is 6 months with no extensions. Projects with a duration of more than 6 months will be considere as not eligible.

What projects can be funded?

Input
- Developments in new or enhanced materials eligible for treatment using DeremCo technologies encompass a diverse range, such as:
  - Polyamide (PA)
  - Recycled glass fiber mat (rGF matt)
  - Technical fibers including glass, carbon, and aramid
  - Carbon fiber
  - Components fabricated with polyester resin filled with long glass fiber
  - Natural fiber composites
Processes
- Complementary technologies, integrating IT solutions, play a pivotal role in the DeremCo project. Targeting specific segments of the process for enhancement, including:
  - Waste processing and preparation for recycling
  - Reprocessing processes
  - Injection molding
  - Mixing technology
  - RTM/Vacuum Infusion/Closed Molding Processes
  - rCF yarn
  - Weaving
  - Compounding methods
  - Plasticization processes
Output
- Innovative products leveraging DeremCo materials are poised to make significant strides across various sectors, including:
  - High-performance products (mechanical, thermal, etc.)
  - Furniture sector (both private and public)
  - Exhibit and retail sector
  - Caravaning industry
  - Building and construction sector
  - Outdoor furniture
- Identified as the most promising avenues for implementing these novel solutions are sectors such as:
  - Nautical industry
  - Furniture manufacturing
  - Automotive sector
  - Medical field
  - Electromechanical applications
  - Construction industry

Who can apply?

Beneficiaries of the 1 st Open Call are SMEs participating individually or in small consortia (maximum 3 SMEs) with legal headquarters or operative offices in one of the following EU regions and countries:
- Austria: Carinthia, Upper, Lower Austria
- Belgium: Flanders
- Finland: Länsi-Suomi
- Italy: Lombardy, Lazio and Umbria
- Slovenia: Estern and Western Slovenia
- Spain: Basque Country
- Portugal: Centro
Legal entities willing to participate to the 1st Open Call must be officially established in one of the eligible Regions at the moment of the submission of their application. A specific document proving their establishment will have to be submitted together with the application.
In view of promoting synergies, cross fertilization and exploitation, DeRemCo encourage the participation of SMEs involved in other I3 projects. Evidence on similar of complementary S3 priorities in involved regions will justify the relevance of the application. In this case at least one entity must be established in the regions belonging to DeRemCo consortium.
DeremCo consortium partners or any other entity with potential conflict of interest are not considered as eligible.
Legal entities can participate to the 1 st Open Call individually or in consortia (up to 3 legal entities). In case of consortia, all members must be an SME.