Project description
Enzyme-based solutions for reduced plastic waste
Plastic pollution as a result of inefficient recycling and the underutilisation of biomass is among the major global issues. Supported by the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions programme, the BIOCROSSYN project sets up an international research collaboration between Europe and South American countries that includes EU widening countries and outermost regions. Within the framework of the project, biocatalysis based on enzyme technology, molecular biology, and molecular engineering is implemented. Additionally, enzymatic plastic depolymerisation for monomer upcycling, enzymatic cascades for the conversion of organic waste into biofuels and biochemicals, and chemoenzymatic technologies based on artificial multi-enzyme systems are being explored within the framework of the project.
Objective
The BIOCROSSYN project establishes an international research network dedicated to enzyme-based solutions for addressing plastic waste accumulation and biomass underutilisation. Through a collaborative framework spanning two continents (Europe and South America) and including EU widening countries and outermost region. The consortium integrates molecular architecture and structure, enzymology, and molecular biology to develop high-performance biocatalysts that drive sustainable industrial transformation.
The project focuses on three key areas: (1) Enzymatic plastic degradation, enhancing depolymerisation processes to recover monomers for polymer upcycling; (2) Biomass valorisation, optimising multi-step enzymatic cascades to convert organic waste into biofuels and biochemicals; and (3) Chemoenzymatic processes through artificial multi- enzyme cascades and multicatalytic process.
A consortium of leading research institutions and industry partners will facilitate structured staff exchanges, interdisciplinary training, and cross-sectoral knowledge transfer, bridging the cap between fundamental research and commercialization, ensuring that enzyme technologies can advance beyond TRL 3-4.
BIOCROSSYN’s approach is reinforced by computational enzyme engineering, biophysical characterisation, and high-throughput screening, bridging fundamental enzymology with applied biocatalysis. BIOCROSSYN aligns with the European Green Deal, Horizon Europe’s sustainability objectives, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to resource-efficient biomanufacturing. Beyond scientific impact, the project strengthens global research mobility, fosters new research collaborations, and informs regulatory frameworks for enzyme-based industrial processes, paving the way for a sustainable and circular bioeconomy.
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
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis biocatalysis
- social sciences economics and business economics sustainable economy
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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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-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-2025-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.
LV-1006 Riga
Latvia
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.