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Bio-based in Soil applications with Optimal biodegradation in their Ultimate Life – The SOUL project

Project description

Biodegradable materials for sustainable agriculture

Plastic is used in construction, agriculture, and packaging. While it is versatile and cheap, plastic is also an environmental concern. Since most is not recycled, they contribute to pollution and waste. In this context, the EU-funded SOUL project is developing biodegradable materials with a high renewable content. The aim is to transform existing plastics and implement sustainable end-of-life solutions to improve waste management and reduce carbon footprints. Specifically, the project will establish a value chain to produce 11 bio-based and biodegradable products that meet market demand. It will combine three building blocks and eight technologies to achieve 95 % renewable raw materials.

Objective

The use of plastic products has increased significantly due to their versatility, ease of manufacture, and affordability. However, the excessive production and disposal of plastics have led to environmental concerns. Packaging and construction are the largest end-use markets for plastics in the EU. Agriculture is another major user, with plastic products like mulching films, controlled-release fertilizers, and tree guards being widely used. While these products offer benefits like water conservation, weed control, and increased yields, they also pose risks of soil pollution and environmental contamination. The majority of agricultural plastics are not collected or recycled, leading to improper disposal and landfilling. Other plastic products, such as turf nets and infills, are not biodegradable and difficult to recover for recycling.

To address these issues, SOUL aims to develop novel, biodegradable materials with high renewable content. The consortium partners will focus on producing new materials, transforming existing plastic products, and developing sustainable end-of-life solutions. By addressing waste management, reducing carbon footprints, and preventing soil contamination, SOUL seeks to contribute to a more sustainable and circular plastic economy.

SOUL will deploy at TRL8, with a circular bioeconomy and multi-actor approach, a complete value chain to produce 11 innovative bio-based and biodegradable in soil product solutions meeting high market demand, by the combination of 3 building blocks and 8 technologies, reaching solutions with a 95% of Renewable Raw Materials while ensuring a platform able to respond to the different application needs.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-JU-IA - HORIZON JU Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-JU-CBE-2024

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Coordinator

FUNDACION AITIIP
Net EU contribution
€ 801 022,05
Address
POLIGONO EMPRESARIUM, CALLE ROMERO N 12-14
50720 Zaragoza
Spain
Region
Noreste Aragón Zaragoza
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 803 625,00

Participants (17)

Partners (1)