Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) in the biotechnology sector

The three proposed IPCEIs emphasize strengthening EU competitiveness. They also aim to foster innovation and the development of new value chains by promoting collaboration between industry, SMEs, and research institutions. To strengthen the overall competitiveness of the European bio-based industries ecosystem, coordinated action across all value chains is essential.

The three Biotech IPCEIs also aim to:

promote the green industrial transition and align with the Clean Industry Pact, the Circular Economy Act, and the Bioeconomy Strategy by decarbonizing industries, promoting the circular use of biomass, and replacing fossil-based materials with bio-based alternatives;

contribute to open strategic autonomy by reducing European dependence on external imports of fossil fuels and raw materials, fostering local value chains, and strengthening regional industrial capacities throughout the EU.

Ensuring sustainable food production by implementing sustainable agricultural practices in order to minimize environmental impact and reverse the trend of biodiversity loss.

Projects within the IPCEI Biotech program in the human and animal food sector focus on the development and scaling up of downstream biotechnological production processes for key ingredients and functional components used in the food and feed industries, with an emphasis on first industrial implementation (FID), including the transition from demonstration scale to large-scale production, but excluding mass production or commercial activities. Examples (non-exhaustive list):
Proteins (of plant origin, from fermentation, from cell culture)
Lipids and oils (of microbial or algal origin, from fermentation)
Amino acids and vitamins
Enzymes and biocatalysts (for food processing, flavor development, etc.)
Functional and bioactive ingredients (prebiotics, postbiotics and probiotics, bioactive peptides, nutraceutical compounds)
Technological and sensory additives (colors, sweeteners, flavor enhancers, stabilizers, emulsifiers)
Projects should focus on results at the ingredient level for integration into downstream food and animal feed value chains.

Projects within the IPCEI Biotech program in the bio-based materials sector focus on scaling up processes for first industrial deployment (FID) of processes that have never been industrialized before, and establishing large-scale production, without necessarily aiming for mass production or commercial activities. Examples (non-exhaustive list)
Advanced bio-based materials with improved properties (durability, recyclability, biodegradability)
Fiber-based materials (e.g., for textiles, composites)
Lignin-derived materials
Hard carbon materials derived from biomass
New materials from forests
Bio-based composites and building materials
High-performance fiber-based packaging materials
Advanced material intermediates (lignin-based polymers, hemicellulose-based polymers, polysaccharide-based binders, artificial cellulosic fibers, microfibrillated/nanofibrillated cellulose)
Projects within the IPCEI Biotech program in the bio-based chemicals sector focus on the development and scaling up of biotechnological processes for the production of bio-based chemicals, with an emphasis on first industrial implementation (FID), including the transition From demonstration scale to large-scale production, excluding mass production or commercial activities.

Examples (non-exhaustive list):
Basic and intermediate chemicals (e.g., lactic acid, succinic acid, itaconic acid, ethanol, polyols, other organic acids and alcohols)
Monomers and building blocks of polymers (PLA, polyesters, polyurethanes, etc.)
Specialty and fine chemicals.
Dyeings, pigments, and additives for various industrial uses.
Pharmaceutical and health-related intermediates (basic chemical components, not finished drugs).
Biological intermediates for crop protection, biostimulants, and fertilizers (when directly linked to chemical intermediates).

Food and feed ingredients (where biologically derived chemicals act as intermediaries, e.g. additives, processing aids)
A detailed description of the objectives pursued and the areas of application that will be supported is given in the document “Rationale for Biotechnology IPCEIs (PDF, 115.48 KB)”.

Document Submission Schedule
Documents must be submitted by email to the FPS Economy (ipcei@economie.fgov.be), addressed to the potential funding authorities.

Deadline: September 4, 2026, 6:00 PM Brussels time