CATALYTIC AMYLOIDS FOR PLASTIC BIODEGRADATIONbroad
CATAMPLAS · Horizon Europe grant · 2026-10-01–2030-09-30
EC contribution
Total cost
Beneficiaries
About the data
Source: CORDIS (official EU open data), Horizon Europe. Framework HORIZON · call HORIZON-EIC-2025-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01 · scheme HORIZON-EIC · topic HORIZON-EIC-2025-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01-04. CORDIS record →
Objective
Plastic contamination, especially by micro and nano plastics (MNP), represents a growing global environmental crisis. These tiny particles, formed by the breakdown of larger plastics through sunlight and physical forces, are extremely difficult to eliminate using conventional methods such as filtration or sedimentation. MNP pollution is now widespread in drinking water, treated wastewater reused in agriculture, and aquatic ecosystems from rivers to oceans. Despite the urgency, there is currently no effective technology capable of both removing and degrading waterborne MNP.The CATAMPLAS - (Catalytic Amyloids for Plastic Biodegradation) project introduces a groundbreaking solution using catalytic amyloids (CAs) a new class of protein-based materials with enzymatic-like properties. Recent pioneering studies from the Jelinek and Otzen laboratories have revealed that natural protein amyloid fibrils can catalyze various chemical and biological reactions. Notably, functional amyloids are capable of hydrolyzing chemical bonds such as esters and amides, which are the fundamental linkages in most plastic polymers.Building on these discoveries, CATAMPLAS will engineer microbial cell factories to produce tailored catalytic amyloids designed to degrade and adsorb MNP in water. These engineered fibrils will not only catalyze the breakdown of plastics into smaller, environmentally benign fragments but will also capture the degradation products, enabling efficient removal. The resulting technology aims to provide an innovative and sustainable method for addressing the global MNP pollution challenge.Applications of this technology span several critical sectors, including drinking water purification, wastewater treatment, and the removal of microplastic fibers released from washing machines. By harnessing the catalytic power of engineered amyloids, CATAMPLAS offers a transformative approach to mitigating plastic pollution and restoring the health of aquatic environments.
Beneficiaries (5)
| Organisation | Country | Role | EC contribution | SME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV | IL | coordinator | €1,216,523 | |
| SYDDANSK UNIVERSITET | DK | participant | €932,790 | |
| RHEINISCH-WESTFAELISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE AACHEN | DE | participant | €783,766 | |
| AARHUS UNIVERSITET | DK | participant | €557,953 | |
| NOVOZYMES A/S | DK | participant | €503,125 |
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