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FYCH and the EIC Accelerator: Recycling Multilayer Plastic

September 30, 2026997 words5 min

FYCH Technologies, incorporated in November 2020 by Oksana Horodytska, Andrea Cabanes and Andrés Fullana after years of research at the University of Alicante and led by Cabanes as chief executive, recycles multilayer plastic packaging such as drinks cartons and bag-in-box bags, which fuse several polymers, aluminium, inks and adhesives and are mostly landfilled or burned. Its EIC Accelerator project, ReMLP, "Recycling Multi-Layer Plastic", receives an EU contribution of €2,297,532 and runs from January 2025 to December 2026, according to CORDIS. It aims to scale a patented water-based delamination and steam-stripping process from a TRL 6 prototype to a 500 kg per hour industrial pilot at TRL 8, and to begin EFSA food-contact and UNE-EN 15343 certification.

In the first period, the report says, the plant design was completed, equipment moved through procurement and pre-installation, trials on the three target waste streams confirmed technical feasibility and initial recycled samples were "successfully tested with industrial partners", according to CORDIS. The same report lists what remains: full industrial demonstration, better quality for demanding applications, "resolution of specific-migration challenges", stable access to feedstock and markets, and more investment. In November 2025 FYCH closed a Series A of more than €6 million in grants and capital, co-led by Lombard Odier Investment Managers and the EIC Fund, according to Economia 3.

€6M+Series A, grants and capital
5,000 m²First industrial plant
96%+Odours and toxics removed, company claim
€0.5-1MSales bracket, register

Company file

Legal entity
FYCH Technologies SL, Alicante register
Incorporated
19 November 2020
Founders
Oksana Horodytska, Andrea Cabanes, Andrés Fullana
Plant
Hondón de las Nieves, Alicante
Investors
Lombard Odier Investment Managers, EIC Fund, Alliance to End Plastic Waste
Auditor
Ernst & Young
EIC funding
Blended finance, €2.3M grant plus EIC Fund equity

Where FYCH Stands Now

FYCH has opened a plant of more than 5,000 square metres in three industrial buildings in Hondón de las Nieves, financed with more than €8 million from the EIC, Lombard Odier's Plastic Circularity Fund backed by the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, and Spain's plastics PERTE programme, according to AVEP. It processes polyaluminium from drinks cartons and bag-in-box structures, and FYCH "starts its large-scale commercial activity" in the second half of 2026. The Spanish register lists sales in the €500,000 to €1 million bracket for its latest filed year, a board of directors in place of a sole administrator since February 2026 and two capital increases, according to Empresia.

"With the replicable demonstration plant, we will be able to show potential customers the value and effectiveness of our delamination, deodorisation and decontamination technologies."

Andrea Cabanes, CEO of FYCH Technologies (translated from Spanish)

The Technology: Peeling Packaging Apart With Water

More than 40 million tonnes of multilayer plastic are generated each year, and solvent or chemical methods are slow, expensive and toxic, the EIC report says. FYCH microperforates the material, separates the layers with water and detergents without degrading the polymers, and removes odours and contaminants with steam. The company presents this as cheaper and less centralised than pyrolysis or dissolution recycling, according to AVEP. Its revenue model includes licensing the process to recyclers worldwide.

What the EIC Award Promised, and What the Record Shows

The project runs to December 2026, so it is too early to judge it. The industrial plant exists and the equity arrived. The harder goals, food-contact grade output and certification, are open: preliminary tests passed global migration limits, but the report itself flags specific-migration problems still being fixed.

  1. Industrial pilot plantBuiltOpened 2026.
  2. Three waste streams validatedLab and pilotNot yet industrial.
  3. Food-contact qualityIn progressMigration issues.
  4. EFSA and EN 15343 certificationNot announcedNo certificate public.

The Money

The EIC is on both sides of FYCH's funding: the grant and a stake through the EIC Fund, which co-led the Series A. Figures reported for the round differ: Economia 3 gives more than €6 million in grants and capital, including a €4 million equity round with Lombard Odier, and AVEP gives more than €8 million for the plant including the PERTE grant.

What Cannot Be Checked

Questions for the EIC

How much the EIC Fund invested, how many tonnes the plant has processed, whether any recycled output has reached food-contact certification, and which recyclers have licensed the process are not public.

Why Europe Should Care

EU packaging rules push for recyclable packaging and recycled content, and multilayer packaging is one of the hardest streams to meet them. The company projects that by 2029 ReMLP could keep over 100,000 tonnes of multilayer plastic out of landfill and incineration, the EIC report says, a figure far beyond the capacity of one plant and dependent on licensing.

What the award promised

A 500 kg per hour industrial pilot producing certified food-grade recycled polymers.

What the record shows

Plant built and equity raised; certification and commercial volumes pending.

The Verdict

Plant built, quality to prove

FYCH has turned a university process into a funded industrial plant. Food-grade output is the test still ahead.

FYCH Technologies and the EIC have not been asked for comment for this article. It is based entirely on public records and published statements, linked throughout.

Industry

Climate and environmentRecycling

Focus
  • Plastic recycling
Technologies
  • Mechanical recycling
Keywords
  • Multilayer packaging
  • Drinks cartons
  • Polyaluminium
  • Solvent-free separation

Start with the EIC Accelerator

Expert review for Step 1 and Step 2, suitability assessment and grant screening.

Eureka Network

Eureka Network offers multiple international collaborative R&D programs including Network Projects, Clusters, Eurostars, Globalstars, and Innowwide, with funding ranging from €50K to €6.75M per project depending on the specific program. The network focuses on market-driven innovation and deep-tech development across diverse technology sectors including ICT/Digital, Industrial/Manufacturing, Bio/Medical Technologies, Energy/Environment, Quantum, AI, and Circular Economy. Applicants include SMEs, large enterprises, research organizations, universities, and startups, with Eurostars specifically targeting R&D-performing SMEs.

EIC Transition

EIC Transition provides up to €2.5 million in funding to bridge the 'valley of death' between laboratory research and market deployment, focusing on technology maturation and validation. The program supports single legal entities or small consortia of 2-5 partners including SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs, and research organizations. Technology areas include Health/Medical Technologies, Green/Environmental Innovation, Digital/Microelectronics, Quantum Technologies, and AI/Robotics.

EIC STEP Scale-Up

EIC STEP Scale-Up offers substantial equity investments of €10-30 million for established deep-tech companies ready for hyper-growth and large-scale expansion. The program targets SMEs or small mid-caps with up to 499 employees who have secured pre-commitment from qualified investors. Focus areas include Digital & Deep Tech (Semiconductors, AI, Quantum), Clean Technologies for Net-Zero goals, and Biotechnologies.

EIC Pre-Accelerator

EIC Pre-Accelerator is a pilot program providing €300,000-€500,000 in funding for early-stage deep-tech development and preparation for the EIC Accelerator program. The initiative is exclusively available to single SMEs or small mid-caps from 'Widening countries' to support regional innovation development. The program covers deep-tech innovations across physical, biological, and digital domains.

EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges

EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges is a new pilot program offering €300,000 (Stage 1) and up to €2.5 million (Stage 2) for breakthrough deep-tech solutions through ARPA-style staged funding with demand-side integration. The program targets single entities or small consortia (2-3 partners) including SMEs, start-ups, and research organizations. Focus areas include Physical AI for autonomous robotics and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for animal-free biomedical testing, requiring TRL 4 entry with end-user commitment.

EIC Pathfinder

EIC Pathfinder offers up to €3 million for Open calls and up to €4 million for Challenge-based calls to support early-stage research and development with proof-of-principle validation. The program requires research consortia with a minimum of 3 partners from 3 different countries, including universities, research organizations, and SMEs. Technology focus areas include Health/Medical, Quantum Technologies, AI, Environmental/Energy, and Advanced Materials.

EIC Accelerator

EIC Accelerator provides flexible funding options including blended finance (€2.5M grant + €0.5M-€10M equity), grant-only (up to €2.5M), or equity-only arrangements for scale-up and market deployment of breakthrough innovations. The program targets SMEs, start-ups, and small mid-caps with up to 499 employees, with MedTech/Healthcare representing 35% of funded projects. Other technology areas include Biopharma, Energy, AI, Quantum, Aerospace, Advanced Materials, and Semiconductors.

Innovation Partnership

Innovation Partnership facilitates collaborative innovation between public and private sectors with typical funding of €1-5 million per project. The program supports cross-sectoral strategic technologies through public-private partnerships and consortia. Projects focus on addressing societal challenges through collaborative innovation approaches.

Innovation Fund

The EU Innovation Fund provides substantial funding of €7.5 million to €300 million for large-scale demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies. The program targets clean energy, carbon capture, renewable energy, and energy storage technologies to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Applicants include large companies, consortia, and public entities capable of implementing large-scale demonstration projects.

Innovate UK

Innovate UK offers various programs with funding ranging from £25K to £10M depending on the specific initiative, supporting business-led innovation, collaborative R&D, and knowledge transfer. The organization funds projects across all sectors with particular focus on emerging technologies and supports UK-based businesses, research organizations, and universities. Programs are designed to drive economic growth through innovation and technology commercialization.

Industrial Partnership

Industrial Partnership provides €2-10 million in funding for industrial research and innovation partnerships focusing on manufacturing, industrial technologies, and digital transformation. The program supports industrial consortia and research organizations in developing collaborative solutions for industrial challenges. Projects aim to strengthen European industrial competitiveness through strategic partnerships.

Eurostars

Eurostars is a joint EU-Eureka program offering €50K-€500K for international R&D collaboration specifically led by SMEs. The program takes a bottom-up approach, accepting projects from all technology fields without predefined thematic restrictions. R&D-performing SMEs must lead the consortium and demonstrate significant R&D activities.

LIFE Programme

The LIFE Programme provides €1-10 million in funding for environmental protection, climate action, and nature conservation projects across the European Union. The program supports environmental technologies, climate adaptation strategies, and biodiversity conservation initiatives. Applicants include public authorities, private companies, NGOs, and research institutions working on environmental and climate challenges.

Neotec

Neotec is a Spanish program offering €250K-€1M in funding for technology-based business creation and development, supporting the growth of innovative Spanish SMEs and start-ups. The program covers all technology sectors and aims to strengthen Spain's technology ecosystem. Funding is specifically targeted at Spanish technology-based SMEs and start-ups to enhance their competitiveness and market presence.

Thematic Priorities

EU Thematic Priorities encompass various programs aligned with EU strategic priorities including green transition, digital transformation, health, and security initiatives. Funding amounts vary based on the specific program and call requirements, with projects designed to address key European challenges. Applicant eligibility varies by specific program and call, with different requirements for different thematic areas.
EIC AcceleratorBeneficiary Deep Dive#FYCH Technologies#plastic recycling#packaging#circular economy#cleantech#Spain
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