Project description
A new shopping bag made from bio-based plastic
The plastic shopping bag we use today was invented in 1965. By the 1980s, the plastic bag revolution was in full swing with grocers and department stores around the world using them. It was a simple decision since plastic bags are stronger and cheaper compared to paper. Reducing plastic bag use is a priority for the EU today. The EU-funded BIOnTop project will help shape the future of the plastics sector via recyclable-by-design cost-competitive packaging solutions. The packaging will be made from renewable resources and will be biodegradable in home-composting conditions as well as recyclable for secondary packaging.
Objective
Only 31% of plastic is currently recycled and plastic packaging still have a deficient end of life. Thus, improvements are needed to provide cost effective solutions with high bio-based contents and suitable performances for demanding packaging applications, with a consumption of 19M ton/year, while still achieving compostability in mild conditions.
Using sustainably sourced comonomers, additives and fillers to formulate novel PLA copolymers and compounds, the BIOnTOP project will deliver recyclable-by-design cost competitive packaging solutions that can be mechanically recycled, industrially/home composted or even suitable for anaerobic digestion.
Moreover, the barrier properties of delivered bio-packaging trays, films and derived packaging, will be enhanced using removable protein-based coatings and a novel fatty acid grafting technology to decrease permeability and compete with fossil packaging.
In the field of textile packaging , most used coatings are not bio-based and of different nature from the coated fibres, making material or organic recycling extremely difficult. New PLA coatings or fatty grafting will allow reprocessing without significant loss of properties.
BIOnTOP packaging, based on >85% renewable resources, will be compatible with a broad range of packaging applications’ requirements but also multiple end of Life options. Our materials will be biodegradable in home composting conditions but also recyclable for multiple use secondary packaging.
Based on new circular bioeconomy value chains, BIOnTOP will generate growth for EU bioplastics and end users’ industries in the food and personal care sectors with potential in many fields: BIOnTOP production is estimated to reach close to 9.6 Mton per year by 2030, overall leading to €40 M turnover and 170 new jobs. All in all, reducing the environmental footprint of plastics, our new bio-based packaging will have a significant positive social and environmental impact.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesrecycling
- engineering and technologyindustrial biotechnologybiomaterialsbioplasticspolylactic acid
- engineering and technologyenvironmental biotechnologybioremediationbioreactors
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringtextiles
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
46980 PATERNA VALENCIA
Spain
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participants (24)
50121 Firenze
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
56126 Pisa
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1000 Bruxelles / Brussel
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
72488 Sigmaringen
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10117 BERLIN
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
4203 NS Gorinchem
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56127 Pisa (Pi)
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
51211 Matulji
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participation ended
28802 Alcala De Henares
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
Participation ended
28802 Alcala De Henares Madrid
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30570 Murcia
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
391 02 Plana Nad Luznici
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8850 Ardooie
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10117 Tallinn
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
47011 Valladolid
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46869 Valencia
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Participation ended
9000 GENT
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
50038 Scarperia E San Pieto (Fi)
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
08940 CORNELLA DE LLOBREGAT
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
56121 Pisa Pi
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
80122 Napoli
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
00187 Roma
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
28802 ALCALA DE HENARES MADRID
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9830 Sint-Martens-Latem
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