Companies wishing to test or demonstrate innovations in the field of biobased polyesters can apply for a subsidy through the RVO DEI+ Biobased Circular scheme until July 30, 2026. The total budget amounts to 22 million euros, funded by the National Growth Fund Programme BioBased Circular. On April 23, RVO announced that budget is still available despite a large number of applications, but warns that this could change quickly. Companies are advised not to delay their application.
What is the DEI+ Biobased Circular scheme?
The scheme falls under the RVO Demonstration Energy and Climate Innovation subsidy (DEI+) and focuses specifically on innovations involving polyesters from bio-based, carbohydrate-rich raw materials. Examples include raw materials such as sugars, starch, and other plant-based residual streams that serve as the basis for the production of biopolymers. The subsidy is intended for companies in the Netherlands carrying out a pilot or demonstration project in which the innovation demonstrably leads to reduced CO2 emissions in the Netherlands, within ten years of the start of the project.
Four areas of application
The scheme distinguishes four specific themes for which subsidies can be applied for. These concern the testing, improvement, or scaling up of industrial production processes for bio-based polyesters or their chemical building blocks, such as polyols, dicarboxylic acids, or hydroxycarboxylic acids. In addition, projects aimed at the production of biodegradable or recyclable products and semi-finished products from bio-based polyesters are eligible. New industrial routes for the processing of carbohydrate-rich bio-raw materials and industrial waste streams also fall under the scheme, as do processes for the mechanical, chemical, or organic recycling of products made from bio-based polyesters.
Amount of subsidy
The scheme has two tracks. For pilot projects, the maximum subsidy is 1 million euros. For demonstration projects, in which innovations are tested on a larger scale, a maximum of 10 million euros can be requested. The total available budget amounts to 22 million euros. Applications are processed in order of receipt, so those who apply earlier have a better chance.
Terms & conditions
Projects may last a maximum of four years and must be demonstrably technically and economically feasible. Applicants may not have started the project or incurred costs prior to submitting the application. At least one enterprise must incur costs in the project. Provinces and municipalities may participate but do not receive a subsidy themselves. Water boards may receive a subsidy under certain conditions.
RVO advises interested parties to complete the project idea form in advance, so that a project advisor can provide non-binding advice on the feasibility and opportunities of the project. This also increases the chance of a successful application.
Background
The DEI+ Biobased Circular scheme is part of the broader BioBased Circular package, the National Growth Fund program that accelerates the development of climate-neutral materials in the Netherlands. The program focuses on building new industries for bioplastics, biosynthetics, and biobased building materials that can compete with fossil alternatives on price and quality. The DEI+ scheme is the latest addition to the subsidy package and specifically targets the step from laboratory to industrial scale.
Source: RVO.nl
Photo: Bohdan, Adobe Stock
