Project description
A dual solution for pollution and green hydrogen production
Plastic pollution and the high cost of green hydrogen production are global challenges. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the E-PLUS project will develop a sustainable electrochemical solution. It will convert discarded PET plastics into glycolic acid, a valuable industrial chemical, while generating green hydrogen. The project will also design advanced single-atom catalysts, improve electrochemical conversion methods, and investigate the underlying reaction mechanisms to enhance efficiency, durability and selectivity. By turning plastic waste into a useful resource while producing clean energy, E-PLUS seeks to support the circular economy. It also aims to reduce carbon emissions and make green hydrogen more affordable.
Objective
Plastic waste and global warming are among today’s pressing global challenges. Almost 380 million tons of plastic are produced annually, yet only about 9% of them are recycled, with most ending in landfills or incineration, harming ecosystems, releasing substantial CO2, and wasting valuable resources. Meanwhile, green H2 is essential for achieving carbon neutrality, but its cost remains high, partly due to the sluggish anodic reaction. Addressing these issues together offers a unique opportunity for both circular economy and energy decarbonization.
The E-PLUS project aims to establish a sustainable electrochemical strategy that simultaneously upcycles PET plastic into high-value glycolic acid (GA) and co-produces green hydrogen. Current approaches mainly rely on noble-metal catalysts with low atomic efficiency, limited stability, and poor selectivity at high current densities. E-PLUS will overcome these barriers through an interdisciplinary approach, including: 1) developing single-atom catalysts with nearly 100% utilization, supported on engineered transition-metal interfaces, and guided by theoretical predictions; 2) applying advanced electrochemical strategies to enhance durability and coupling PET-to-GA conversion in water electrolysis; 3) conducting in situ mechanistic studies to uncover structure–activity relationships to guide catalyst design and improve selectivity. Collectively, these innovations will enable PET-to-GA conversion with >98% selectivity sustained for over 1000 h under high current densities, which are further expected to increase the PET recycling rate by 1%, lower CO2 emissions by 2%, and reduce the energy cost of H2 production by >15%. Its successful implementation will also strengthen the applicant’s career prospects through advanced expertise, transferable skills, interdisciplinary training, and international collaboration, while contributing to the EU policies objectives like Sustainable Development Goals and the European Green Deal.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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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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-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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-2025-PF
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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.
28906 Getafe
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.