Project description
Turning wastewater into plastic
Wastewater treatment plants emit streams of biogenic carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Meanwhile, the packaging industry uses fossil-based plastics. Bridging these two problems could reshape both sectors. The EU-funded HICCUPS project aims to turn waste CO2 into value using innovative capture and conversion technologies. Specifically, it transforms emissions from treatment plants into PLGA, which is a fully biodegradable, renewable polymer designed to replace fossil polyethylene. The project demonstrates the entire chain, from carbon capture to packaging products such as paper cups and food trays, while testing recyclability and marine biodegradability. By coupling carbon use with electrified processes and life-cycle analysis, HICCUPS aims to help cut greenhouse gases and lay the groundwork for scalable, climate-friendly plastics.
Objective
The HICCUPS project proposes a resource efficient solution to convert biogenic CO2 emissions from wastewater treatment plants into bio-based plastics for packaging. At the heart of the HICCUPS concept lie innovative technologies for the capture, conversion to monomers and polymerization of CO2 to produce PLGA. These polymers with excellent water & gas barrier properties are fully biodegradable and 100% made from renewable feedstock which makes them a promising candidate for the replacement of fossil polyethylene. To demonstrate the potential of PLGA, packaging materials will be produced from PLGA film coated paper and molded plastic. Examples of these types of packaging are paper cups, take out boxes and sealed plastic trays for perishable food from the supermarket. The HICCUPS technology results in a GHG reduction based on CO2 utilization, replacement of fossil feedstock and by industrial electrification. In the HICCUPS project, the complete value chain from biogenic CO2 to polymer end use will be demonstrated, including downstream processing and end of life studies. Recycling and (marine) biodegradability tests will show this sustainable plastic will not accumulate in nature. To maximize impact of the HICCUPS technology, digital modelling, life-cycle assessments and a full business case analysis are initiated in the early stage of the project to provide targets for technology development. Besides the reduction of GHG emissions, HICCUPS will have societal impact by creating awareness through interaction with policy makers and civil society and the creation of new jobs in innovative fields. By targeting an industry as essential as wastewater treatment, HICCUPS aims to create a concept that can impact society and contribute to climate change mitigation, assessed by an integrated monitoring system of the carbon removal potential, on a big scale and serves as a crucial first step in upscaling this new solution to a flagship-scale commercial plant.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology environmental engineering water treatment processes wastewater treatment processes
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences atmospheric sciences climatology climatic changes
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.6 - Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.6.6 - Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-JU-IA - HORIZON JU Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-JU-CBE-2022
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1014 BV Amsterdam
Netherlands
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.