The European Commission will launch a new €48 million ($51.84 million) Horizon Europe scheme in June to develop technologies for the secondary use of end-of-life waste materials, EU Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva said on Saturday.
Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme for 2021-2027, is proving to be a major driver of economic and societal benefits.
Speaking at the inauguration of a mobile recycling pilot installation near Kremikovtsi in Bulgaria, Zaharieva said the initiative aims to foster collaboration between academia and industry to advance circular economy practices and reduce environmental impact.
“This project is a clear example of how environmental protection, the Green Deal, and private sector competitiveness can go hand in hand,” Zaharieva told reporters. She added that the initiative, part of a broader Horizon Europe effort, demonstrates how science and business can unite to serve public interest.
The newly opened mobile unit is part of the €9.5 million MOBICCON-PRO project funded under Horizon Europe. It brings together Bulgarian and international universities and research institutions to develop recycled construction materials.
So far, Horizon Europe has invested €151 million into innovation projects, Zaharieva said.
Bulgaria Pushes Forward on Circular Economy Goals
Deputy Prime Minister and Innovation Minister Tomislav Donchev said Bulgaria has significantly improved its waste management infrastructure over the past 15 years, but noted challenges remain in recycling materials like wood, textiles, and construction waste.
“Smart societies do not waste resources and do not pollute the environment,” Donchev said. “The circular economy transforms waste into resource – that’s not just green policy, it’s smart economics.”
Environment Minister Manol Genov said legislative changes are being considered to give municipalities more control over construction waste, which he described as essential to protecting natural habitats.
Tsvetelina Penkova, vice-chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, said recycling construction waste addresses Europe’s growing concern over raw material dependency.
“MOBICCON-PRO proves that the construction sector can be a platform for innovation and sustainable growth,” she said.
The initiative is part of broader EU efforts to meet climate targets and reduce reliance on raw material imports, aligning with the bloc’s Green Deal objectives.
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