Breakthroughs to improve process industry resource efficiency (Processes4Planet partnership) (RIA)

Process industries will greatly benefit from radically new approaches that will lead to a much higher resource efficiency (including higher selectivity), producing less low-value by-products and waste and enabling the handing of a higher feedstock variability, and ultimately leading to lower level of GHG emissions linked to the process industries. To reach ambitious targets regarding resource efficiency, disruptive process technologies must be developed in addition to process efficiency options for existing technologies.

Proposals should:

• Develop disruptive process technologies to improve resource efficiency, such as those based on: process intensification (e.g. 3D printed processes equipment, coupling of process steps, new processes that integrate multiple reaction steps, activation of molecules using renewable energy via alternative processes e.g. microwave, plasma); or to prevent and minimise waste generation by, e.g. processes that adjust in real time to feedstock changes or that have tighter processing control solutions to ensure higher yields from complex and fluctuating raw material feeds;
• Where relevant advanced process technologies and their combinations need to be developed and supported by advanced materials innovation and the implementation of enabling digital technologies including advanced concepts on process control and data driven Artificial Intelligence.

The proposals should include energy efficiency, techno-economic and life-cycle assessments considering the overall process. This should also include the assessment of possible societal and environmental impact and the effects on the workplaces (skills, organisational change, and others).

Proposals submitted under this topic should include a business case and exploitation strategy, as outlined in the introduction to this Destination.

Research must build on existing standards or contribute to standardisation. Where relevant interoperability for data sharing should be addressed.

All proposals should build on or seek collaboration with existing projects and develop synergies with other relevant European, national or regional initiatives, funding programmes

This topic implements the co-programmed European partnership Processes4Planet.