Objective
CHIHIRO aims to establish the first sustainable biorefinery concept for the production of guayule latex and rubber in Europe, addressing strategic autonomy and environmental sustainability in the rubber sector. The project responds to the EU’s need for alternatives to imported natural rubber and fossil-based synthetic rubber by developing a complete, EU-based value chain using guayule—a non-deforesting, low-ILUC feedstock adapted to marginal lands in Southern Europe. CHIHIRO brings together a team of experts to valorize the whole guayule plant—latex, resin, and bagasse—is fully utilized through innovative methods. The project will convert guayule resin into bio-based thermoplastic elastomers using IV techniques. In addition, sugars derived from bagasse will be used to produce high molecular weight polyisoprene through biomanufacturing with specially engineered yeast strains. Advanced elastomeric materials will be developed by copolymerizing guayule latex with hybrid nanoparticles composed of lignin and sulfur. The project will also create sustainable additives for natural rubber compounding, including lignin nanoparticles and cellulose nanofibers. Finally, CHIHIRO will design and validate new rubber materials for real-world applications (i.e. household appliances and toys). CHIHIRO will deliver a comprehensive techno-economic and sustainability assessment, mapping new markets and proposing a scalable biorefinery model. By valorizing nearly 100% of guayule biomass, replacing fossil-based fillers, and leveraging additive manufacturing, the project will significantly reduce the carbon footprint and enhance circularity in rubber production. CHIHIRO will contribute to European industrial competitiveness, strategic autonomy, and the transition to a circular bioeconomy by providing sustainable, high-performance rubber materials and processes. The duration of the project is 45 months, the Grant amount requested is 3 484 258.67€ and BIC partners will provide 202 938.79€.
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.
- social sciences economics and business economics bioeconomy
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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-RIA - HORIZON JU Research and 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-2025
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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.
50720 Zaragoza
Spain
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.