Project description
New packaging to accelerate transition to circular economy
The move towards a circular economy requires innovation. Working in this direction, a cross-disciplinary team of organisations from eight EU countries with expertise in enzyme selection and enzymatic biodegradation of polymers will address the challenge of recycling and reuse of flexible multilayer and multi-compounds packaging materials used for food and any perishable goods. Under the EU-funded TERMINUS project, they will develop smart enzyme-containing polymers with triggered intrinsic self-biodegradation properties that serve as adhesives or tie layers. This technology will be applied to biodegradable PUR-based adhesives for adhesive lamination. Advancing the circular economy and reaching relevant targets set by the European Commission depend on increased innovation in the industry. TERMINUS will be a breakthrough solution for accelerating this transition.
Objective
TERMINUS addresses the challenge of unlocking recycling and reuse of flexible multi-layer and multi-compounds packaging materials used for food, beverages, cosmetics, pet food, fertilisers, any perishable goods in general. It will develop a range of smart enzyme-containing polymers with triggered intrinsic self-biodegradation properties, acting as adhesives or tie layers in the design and manufacturing of multi-layer plastics for food and non-food applications. The technology will be applied to biodegradable PUR-based adhesives for adhesive lamination and extrusion coating lamination, and polymers and tie layers (PBS, PLA, PPC or PCL) in blown extrusion.
TERMINUS will base its innovative and challenging objectives on a cross-disciplinary team of renowned organizations with expertise in enzymatic biodegradation of polymers, thermal protection of enzymes using nm organosilica and layered double hydroxide, cyclodextrins, UV and water triggered enzymatic activity, formulation of advanced polymers, manufacturing of multilayer plastic packaging, plastics recycling.
TERMINUS is based on TRL3 technologies and will reach TRL5. It will result in major market opportunities for European industrials in several well established markets ready for market opportunities: plastic packaging (TPPS, STTP), industrial enzyme applications (BIOPOX), PUR adhesives (COVESTRO), biodegradable plastics (IPC), biotech plants (OWS), mechanical recycling (SIGMA). At least 15% of improvement of economic efficiency vs. current solutions (landfilling, incineration) are expected. A reduction of landfilling for multi-layer plastic packaging over 80% together with a reduction of overall plastic landfilling by 55% will be achieved with a minimum decrease by 65% of the overall CO2 footprint. TERMINUS will be a breakthrough in reaching the 2030 European Commission objective to recycle 100% plastic packaging.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesrecycling
- engineering and technologyindustrial biotechnologybiomaterialsbioplasticspolylactic acid
- engineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesfood technology
- natural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciences
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymes
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Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
63178 Aubiere Cedex
France