Objective
3D-UPCAT addresses plastic upcycling within catalysis, focusing on thermo-, electro-, and photochemical routes for plastic upcycling. Global plastic production has increased 20-fold over the last decades, yet only ~9% is recycled. Most plastic is landilled, incinerated, or leaked into the environment. Mechanical recycling reduces emissions but causes quality loss and cannot achieve full circularity, requiring chemical valorisation routes. Upcycling depends on polymer type and it can be converted into fuels via pyrolysis, or depolymerised into high-value monomers. However, current processes suffer from low selectivity, energy inefficiency, catalyst deactivation, and poor integration with sustainability assessment. Conventional catalyst synthesis also limits control over structure and transport phenomena.3D-UPCAT develops 3D-printed functional materials and magnetically induced catalytic systems integrated with thermo-, photo-, and electrocatalytic routes, including CO2 valorisation. Data-driven optimisation and machine learning will enable real-time process control under variable feedstocks. 3D-printed metallic and magnetic supports enhance heat and mass transfer, while magnetic induction heating reduces thermal gradients, improving energy efficiency and suppressing catalyst deactivation. Ni-based catalysts are targeted for improved resistance to coking in dry reforming, while electro- and photocatalysis enable selective PET conversion under mild conditions.The project integrates six disciplines: materials chemistry, catalysis, operando surface science, chemical engineering, computational chemistry, and digitalisation with LCA, TEA, and logistics optimisation. The consortium spans Europe, Asia, and Latin America, combining academic and industrial expertise. Overall, 3D-UPCAT is a strongly intersectoral and interdisciplinary effort linking catalysis, engineering, modelling, and data science to enable plastic valorisation from molecular design to system implementation.
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 computer and information sciences data science
- engineering and technology environmental engineering waste management waste treatment processes recycling
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering mechatronics automation industrial automation process automation
- engineering and technology environmental engineering ecosystem-based management climatic change mitigation
- engineering and technology chemical engineering
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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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.1.2.3 - Strengthening Human Resources and Skills Development across the European Research Area
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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-TMA-MSCA-SE - HORIZON TMA MSCA Staff Exchanges
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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-MSCA-2026-SE-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.
28006 Madrid
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.