Project description
A solution for the efficient use of lignin
The Green Deal has encouraged sustainable approaches and the use of renewable energy sources. Despite improvements in the competitiveness of green solutions, many industries continue wasting resources. One example is lignin, a significant but underutilised component of biomass, is often incinerated or discarded due to a lack of effective conversion solutions. The ERC-funded COSMIC project will develop a photocatalytic platform to valorise lignin and convert it into a high-value ingredient for use in the cosmetics industry. The project’s goal is to develop the first-of-its-kind continuous-flow photocatalytic reactor that operates under ambient conditions and selectively depolymerises lignin.
Objective
COSMIC proposes a novel photocatalytic platform to valorise lignin (a major, yet underexploited component of biomass) into high-value ingredients for the cosmetics industry. Lignin, abundantly available as a by-product from the paper and pulping sector, is currently incinerated or discarded due to the lack of scalable, selective conversion technologies. COSMIC addresses this gap with the first continuous-flow photocatalytic reactor operating under ambient conditions, capable of selectively depolymerising lignin into aromatic monomers. The technology is green, solvent-free and compatible with renewable energy sources, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional thermocatalytic methods. The project focuses on bio-vanillin as a fragrance ingredient, which will serve as the lead demonstrator, with current lab-scale yields reaching up to 7.1 wt% at >99% purity. COSMIC will optimise downstream separation by replacing current chromatography techniques with scalable nanofiltration and crystallisation steps. In parallel, the functional and regulatory readiness will be assessed through toxicological, sensory and formulation studies aligned with EU cosmetic standards. COSMIC will validate the technical and commercial feasibility of this platform, supported by stakeholder input from cosmetic developers, biomass suppliers and industry associations. The project will also generate techno-economic and life-cycle data to guide future scale-up, paving the way for EIC Transition funding. COSMIC ultimately aims to establish a credible pathway for lignin-based ingredients to enter regulated consumer markets, replacing fossil-derived compounds with sustainable, multifunctional alternatives.
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.
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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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) ERC-2025-POC
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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.
03690 Alicante
Spain
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.