Frequently asked questions

No, plants with predominantly energy recovery are not eligible. This also includes biogas plants or biomass incineration plants.

No. Only plants for the recycling of mainly carbonaceous materials are eligible.

In chemical recycling, plastic waste is broken down into its original components or into new raw materials. In contrast to mechanical recycling, in which plastics are physically broken down and recycled, chemical recycling uses chemical processes. These processes can be thermal or non-thermal. (Sources: Chemical recycling | Federal Environment Agency; Chemical recycling - A building block for closing material cycles - Institut für Wirtschaft und Umwelt e. V.)

• Thermal processes: These include, for example, pyrolysis, gasification and incineration with energy recovery. In these processes, plastics are decomposed at high temperatures into a gas mixture or liquids from which new products can then be manufactured.
• Non-thermal processes: These processes include, for example, solvolysis or depolymerization, in which plastics are broken down into their monomers using solvents or catalysts.

This means that an essential part of the plastic used in the recycling process must be reused as a raw material. This part is the main product of the recycling process. Plants that only store the carbon as CO2 are not eligible.

TRL 8: Qualified system with proof of functionality in the application area
System development is complete. Complete integration into the operational hardware and software systems has taken place. Most of the user documentation, training documentation and maintenance documentation are available. The system has been functionally tested in simulated and operational scenarios. Verification and validation completed.

Definition of the technological maturity level

Your first point of contact is the Förderlotse Bayern. In a meeting, you will find out whether the TFK funding program is suitable for you. If this is the case, you will be put in touch with the relevant specialist colleagues. If the TFK program is not suitable for your project, the Förderlotse Bayern will advise you on alternative funding programs.

You may start the project as soon as you have received the grant notification. In exceptional cases, approval for the early start of measures can be granted at your own risk after consultation.

It takes around 6-9 months from the first consultation to the start of the project. However, this period depends heavily on the preparations already made (exposé, sketch, obtaining offers) and should only serve as a rough guide.

You can call up funds at least twice a year. To do this, you must submit documents that prove the corresponding costs. As a rule, 70% of the funding amount will be paid out in drawdowns during the implementation period. The Bavarian Transformation and Research Foundation initially retains 30% of the funding amount and only pays this out at the end of the project after the proof of use has been checked.

The TFK program is open for applications throughout the duration of the funding guideline. After a successfully assessed outline, you will be invited to submit an application.

You have several weeks to process the application and compile the documents. Your Project Management Agency Bavaria representative will inform you about the details.

No. In the interests of responsible and efficient use of taxpayers' money, double funding is not permitted. The content of existing projects that may be supported by other funding must be clearly differentiated from the TFK project applied for.

Your company must not be in financial difficulties. You must provide verifiable proof that you are able to finance your own share of the investment costs incurred, for example through bank statements or loan commitments. The application must be accompanied by profit and loss accounts and forward-looking liquidity planning, among other things.

Yes, all inquiries, sketches, applications and all information of which we become aware in the course of the project will be treated confidentially.