01/05/2026
It is a privilege to share the launch of the CHIHIRO project, a pioneering initiative focused on environmental sustainability in the rubber sector.
The project, which officially started on May 1st, 2026, will have a duration of 45 months and is funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) under the Horizon Europe program.
This initiative brings together a consortium coordinated by Moses Productos, along with Celabor srl, EvoEnzyme, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Deutsches Institut für Kautschuktechnologie e. V., Miniland, HOLOSS, GuaTecs SAS and POLYMERIS.
CHIHIRO aims to establish the first sustainable biorefinery for the production of guayule latex and rubber in Europe. The project responds to the need for alternatives to imported natural rubber and synthetic rubber by applying innovative methods that allow for the full utilization of guayule. In turn, CHIHIRO will develop new rubber materials for real-world applications, such as household appliances and toys.
Among the main roles of EvoEnzyme will be the development and optimization of yeast strains specifically designed to produce polyisoprene derived from bagasse sugars.
It is an honor to be part of this project that will reduce the carbon footprint and improve circularity in rubber production.
[Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.]