The European executive has announced today a 2.9 billion euro funding plan for 61 cutting-edge, zero-impact technology projects.
In Portugal, the NEXTGEN CAM project has been selected. This initiative focuses on producing LNMO (lithium-nickel-manganese oxide) active cathode material, which is used in the cathodes of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, crucial for electric vehicles and energy storage.
According to the Commission, the NEXTGEN CAM will be a pioneering industrial facility in this type of production, contributing to the European battery value chain and the energy transition.
The funding comes from the Innovation Fund, utilizing revenue from the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS).
These grants follow an initial call for proposals for zero-impact technologies launched in December 2024, aiming to enhance Europe’s technological leadership and accelerate the deployment of innovative decarbonization solutions.
The selected projects span 19 industrial sectors across 18 countries, with a focus on energy-intensive industries, renewable energy and energy storage, mobility and net-zero buildings, clean technology manufacturing, and industrial carbon management.
Brussels argues that the 61 projects have the potential to cut greenhouse gas emissions, reducing approximately 221 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent during their first decade of operation, a figure comparable to the annual emissions of 9.9 million European cars.
This reduction will directly support the EU’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, with the financing value for each selected project set to be determined in the first half of 2026.
