CHIHIRO: Circular valorisation of guayule bagasse and resin for Chemically Innovates High-Performance Rubber materials for biobased products.
Programme: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025
Duration: 45 months, May 2026 – January 2030
Partners: Moses Productos (Coordinator) / Guatecs / Celabor SCRL / Evoenzyme SL / Universitat Rovira i Virgili / DEUTSCHES INSTITUT FUR KAUTSCHUKTECHNOLOGIE EV / HOLOSS – HOLISTIC AND ONTOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY, LDA. / Polymeris / Miniland S.A.
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The challenge of the project is securing Europe’s Rubber Supply. The European rubber sector currently faces a major strategic challenge: a heavy reliance on imported natural rubber and fossil-based synthetic rubber. CHIHIRO directly addresses this critical need by developing a complete, EU-based value chain utilizing guayule—a non-deforesting, low-ILUC (Indirect Land Use Change) plant that is perfectly adapted to the marginal lands of Southern Europe. Our Zero-Waste Biorefinery Solution will make this alternative economically and environmentally viable, the project aims to valorize nearly 100% of the guayule biomass.
By fully utilizing the whole plant (latex, resin, and bagasse) through innovative R&I methods, the consortium will:
• Convert guayule resin into bio-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) using inverse vulcanization techniques.
• Produce high molecular weight polyisoprene through advanced biomanufacturing.
• Create sustainable additives, including lignin nanoparticles and cellulose nanofibers, to replace fossil-based fillers in natural rubber compounding.
MOSES plays a central role in driving innovation within the project as the Project Coordinator. Beyond overseeing the strategic and administrative management of the consortium, MOSES is leading the industrial upscaling of the newly developed thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and rubber formulations. To ensure the readiness of these materials for commercial deployment, MOSES is validating their performance in real-world applications through the use of advanced additive manufacturing (3D printing) technologies to produce sustainable gaskets and sealants for household appliances.
In parallel, MOSES is actively investigating alternative European forest-based feedstocks to ensure a resilient and continuous year-round supply chain for the proposed biorefinery concept, strengthening both the sustainability and industrial scalability of the project outcomes. Impact and Sustainability Through CHIHIRO, we are significantly reducing the carbon footprint of rubber production and enhancing industry circularity. By delivering sustainable, high-performance rubber materials, MOSES is actively contributing to European industrial competitiveness, strategic autonomy, and the global transition towards a circular bioeconomy
Este proyecto cuenta con el apoyo de Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking y sus miembros.
Grant Agreement nº 101292951, CHIHIRO, HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025
