Objective
Releaf Paper is a Ukrainian startup developing an innovative technology that converts fallen leaves collected in cities into high-quality white paper for sustainable packaging. European municipalities generate over one million tonnes of leaf waste annually, most of which is landfilled or composted, releasing CO2 and methane. Through its patented chemical-free process, Releaf transforms this urban biowaste into cellulose-rich fibres and bio-fillers for bright, recyclable and biodegradable white paper. The process uses no sulphur, chlorine, bleaching agents or optical brighteners and requires up to 15× less water and 3× less energy than wood-based papermaking, achieving a 78% CO2 reduction.
In this project, Releaf will scale its white-spectrum paper from TRL 5 to TRL 7 through fibre optimisation, natural whitening & industrial machine trials with partner mills. The project delivers strong impact for Ukraine’s green recovery by creating circular value chains based on urban biomass, reducing dependence on imported pulp and chemicals, and enabling high-value domestic manufacturing. The “one city – one factory” model allows rapid replication across municipalities, turning seasonal leaf waste into industrial inputs and reducing landfill pressure. The initiative supports post-war industrial modernisation, job creation and long-term economic resilience through export-oriented production.
As demand for sustainable premium packaging accelerates, Releaf also taps into a USD 33–36 billion global specialty paper market, with Europe representing the strongest share, creating a scalable commercial opportunity reinforcing Ukraine’s green and industrial recovery.
Releaf’s innovation reduces deforestation and CO2 emissions while creating value from urban biowaste. It aligns with the EU Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan, the forthcoming PPWR, and with Ukraine’s National Waste Management Strategy 2030, the “Made in Ukraine” platform and the Ukraine Recovery Plan.
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.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry halogens
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry aliphatic compounds
- social sciences economics and business economics sustainable economy
- engineering and technology environmental engineering waste management waste treatment processes
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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.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.3.1.3 - Additional EIC activities
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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-EIC - HORIZON EIC 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) HORIZON-EIC-2025-UKRAINIANTECH-01
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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.
11603 Malyn
Ukraine
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.