Project description
Turning agro-food biomass into optimised coating materials
Low-valorised biomass sources – such as tomatoes, legumes, watermelons, sunflowers and shrimps – are as valuable as ever for the EU-funded ECOFUNCO project. It will select and extract functionalised molecules (active organic molecules, proteins, polysaccharides, cutin) for the development of new bio-based coating materials. These will be used on two different substrates: cellulosic and plastic-based for the production of plastic trays and top layers (packaging for fresh products like pasta, ham and meat) as well as cellulose-based table wares, woven and non-woven (personal care products). Also, cutin-based formulations will be used for water-repellent coatings such as paper cups and tableware. Protein-based barrier and chitosan-based coatings will be used for multilayer food packaging.
Objective
The overall objective of project ECOFUNCO is to select, extract-functionalise molecules (proteins, polysaccharides, cutin) from highly available, low valorised biomass such as tomato, legumes, sunflower etc for the development of new bio-based coating materials to be applied on two different substrates (cellulosic and plastic based), with improved performances compared to currently available products and at the same time with more sustainable end of life options.
The products to be developed in the project are in particular:
Antimicrobial-antioxidant coatings based on chitin nanofibrills, and/or chitosan, functionalised MC, for cellulose tissues (personal care), paper and cardboard (packaging for fresh products like pasta, tableware), woven and nonwoven (sanitary), plastic substrates (bio-polyesters) for active packaging.
Cutin based formulations for coatings water repellent (paper cups, service paper etc.), water vapour barrier (packaging) and protective properties (non-food packaging).
Protein- based barrier adhesive for multilayer food packaging (bio polyesters based), with sustainable end of life options (composting, recyclability).
Fields of science
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturegrains and oilseedsoilseeds
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- engineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesfood technologyfood packaging
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturegrains and oilseedslegumes
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
50121 Firenze
Italy
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Participants (18)
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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80686 Munchen
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43100 Parma
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Participation ended
W1B 2UW London
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03690 Alicante
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55100 LUCCA
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08021 Barcelona
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
4501306 Hod Hasharon
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
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.
4650 Herve Chaineux
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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.
08003 Barcelona
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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.
43121 PARMA
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
87671 RONSBERG
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34075 Istanbul
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S10 2TN Sheffield
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