More money for innovations within companies that boost circular economy

The extraction of raw materials, for example for making new products, often leads to environmental damage. And the processing of those raw materials usually costs a lot of energy. At the same time, incinerating waste still causes a lot of CO2 emissions. Therefore, from April 22, €20 million in subsidies are available for smaller innovation projects by entrepreneurs and partnerships that contribute to a circular economy.

In a climate-neutral society, we look not only at our energy consumption, but also at the use of raw materials. For the transition to such a circular economy, we want to use fewer raw materials with new techniques. We want to reuse waste materials as completely as possible ('high-value').

Test or demonstrate innovations with subsidy

Enterprises and partnerships can therefore receive subsidies for pilot and demonstration projects aimed at recycling waste, reuse and the use of raw materials derived from biomass ('biobased'). Reuse revolves around products or components that are not waste materials and are reused for the same purpose for which they were intended. Biobased raw materials involve replacing raw materials of fossil and/or mineral origin with sustainable biobased raw materials.

With the subsidy, they can test or demonstrate new techniques for this within a company. They apply for the subsidy with the scheme Demonstration Energy and Climate Innovation (DEI+): Circular Economy. The budget comes from the Climate Fund.

Also for smaller projects

• For smaller projects it is now also possible to receive subsidies. These are valuable innovative projects that require less than €3 million in funding and can be realized in the short term. Entrepreneurs and partnerships have a maximum of 4 years to implement their project. The grant is open for applications from April 22, 2024 09:00 and closes on November 1, 2024 17:00.
• For large-scale projects of more than €3 million in funding, entrepreneurs and partnerships could already apply for funding within the ongoing DEI+ grant. This closes on August 9, 2024 17:00 for applications.