EU and India Launch €41 Million Green Tech Drive to Tackle Marine Pollution and Boost Hydrogen Innovation

May 16, 2025: In a major step toward addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable technologies, the European Union (EU) and India have launched two landmark research and innovation initiatives under the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC). With a combined investment of €41 million (approximately ₹394 crore), the projects aim to develop joint solutions for marine pollution and waste-to-green hydrogen technologies.

Announced by the EU, the initiatives are co-funded through the EU’s Horizon Europe programme and Indian ministries — the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). They will bring together startups, industries, researchers, and academic institutions from both regions to co-develop scalable and impactful solutions.

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The first initiative focuses on tackling marine pollution, with a particular emphasis on marine plastic litter. Supported by €12 million from the EU and ₹90 crore (approx. €9.3 million) from MoES, this call targets innovative technologies to monitor, assess, and reduce pollution, including microplastics, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants. The outcomes are expected to support global environmental frameworks such as the UN Decade of Ocean Science and contribute to India’s National Marine Litter Policy and the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan.

This initiative builds on earlier TTC momentum, including a successful matchmaking event connecting Indian and European startups and a workshop on electric vehicle charging standards held earlier this year.

The second research call aims to revolutionise hydrogen production by turning waste into renewable hydrogen. With €10 million from the EU and ₹90 crore (approx. €9.3 million) from MNRE, the project supports the development of cost-effective and eco-friendly hydrogen technologies. Hydrogen is a shared priority for both regions in accelerating the global clean energy transition and ensuring long-term energy security.

Both calls are open to a broad range of participants — from startups and SMEs to universities, NGOs, and individual researchers. The hydrogen project has a proposal deadline of September 2, while the marine pollution initiative closes on September 17.

Looking ahead, the TTC framework plans additional joint research efforts in 2026, including areas like electric vehicle battery recycling and wastewater treatment. Together, these initiatives will represent a total investment of approximately €60 million.

About the EU-India TTC:
Launched in February 2023 following an agreement between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the EU-India Trade and Technology Council serves as a high-level platform to deepen collaboration in trade, technology, and innovation. It marks the EU’s second such council after its partnership with the United States and reflects the growing strategic convergence between the EU and India.

The TTC is backed by the longstanding EU-India Research and Innovation Cooperation framework, established in 2001 and renewed in 2020. With over 200 joint research projects already completed, this partnership continues to drive cross-border innovation in health, energy, digital tech, climate, and water resources.