The FIB3R Call4Innovation is now open to develop new applications for recycled carbon fibre

FIB3R Call4Innovation has been launched, an initiative by the Hera Group aimed at the European innovation ecosystem with the aim of identifying new industrial applications for the regenerated carbon fibre produced at the multi-utility plant in Imola.

The call, open to start-ups, companies, research centres, universities and design studios, has been launched with the aim of gathering concrete, scalable and high-tech project ideas capable of transforming carbon fibre recovered from industrial waste into new products and solutions for various sectors, including automotive, aerospace, sport, design and civil engineering.

The project is being developed by the Herambiente Group, Italy’s leading operator in the recovery and treatment of industrial waste and owner of the FIB3R plant, together with the Hera Group’s Open Innovation team, with operational support from Plug and Play, a global open innovation platform, which will help to connect the initiative with its international ecosystem of start-ups and innovators, facilitating the identification of the most promising solutions.

At the heart of the initiative is the FIB3R plant in Imola (Bologna), an advanced technological platform and the first facility of its kind in Europe that enables the regeneration of carbon fibre on an industrial scale through an innovative pyro-gasification process, maintaining high mechanical performance whilst significantly reducing environmental impact.

The FIB3R Call4Innovation represents a further step in the development of this material, enabling circular economy models and new production chains, and forms part of the Hera Group’s broader strategy aimed at promoting industrial innovation and collaboration with other organisations, making advanced technological assets and expertise available to accelerate the transition towards sustainable production models.

Through a dedicated platform, participants will be able to submit their projects and access a structured evaluation and selection process. The best solutions will have the opportunity to engage directly with the Herambiente Group and initiate concrete industrial collaborations, including through flexible and scalable partnership models.

Furthermore, the selected projects will be presented at Ecomondo 2026, one of Europe’s leading events dedicated to the green and circular economy.

How Call4Innovation works: applications open until 19 July
Applications will be assessed by a high-profile Technical Committee, comprising representatives from industry, academia and associations: for the Hera Group, Director of Innovation Salvatore Molè; for Herambiente, CEO Andrea Ramonda; for the University of Bologna, Prof. Loris Giorgini; for the composites sector, the Angeloni Group with CEO Carlo Della Bona; and for Assocompositi, Prof. Roberto Frassine.

The Committee will select the proposals based on technical quality, degree of innovation, market potential and industrial scalability.

The top three finalist projects will be offered the opportunity to enter into a long-term commercial agreement, with dedicated terms for fibre supply, aimed at supporting the industrial development of the solution; furthermore, the three best projects will be eligible to receive:

• a supply of FIB3R regenerated carbon fibre worth a total of over €40,000 (the winner will be awarded 1,000 kg of rCF, the runner-up 500 kg and the third-placed project 250 kg) 
• or cash prizes in accordance with the rules available on the website.

Applications will be open until 19 July 2026 and can be submitted directly on our website at: https://ha.gruppohera.it/FIB3R-Call4Innovation