Project description
Developing biocompostable plastic packaging
The disposal of plastic waste must be addressed because it has taken a toll on the environment. Part of the EU’s initiatives towards a circular economy involves achieving 100 % reusable and recyclable plastic packaging by 2030. This not only requires upgrading plastic processing and recycling capabilities but also calls for innovation in sustainable plastic materials. The EU-funded RΕBICOM project aims to develop and manufacture flexible plastic films for packaging and lamination that are biodegradable and compostable. These new plastic films are made of fossil-based polymers that are fully biocompostable through enzymatic degradation. They provide safe and secure packaging for food and non-food items while being reusable and recyclable.
Objective
Plastics are an iconic example of the traditional, linear economic model, based on a 'take- make-consume-throw away' pattern, flexible bags, sachets, packaging, etc. made of plastic film are daily used by consumers in a single use in several sectors like post mail. The increasing environmental concern/preferences are driving the demand for biodegradable and compostable films, but existing solutions hardly can cover the business need. REBICOM® is a a new innovative reusable, recyclable and bio-compostable film not using agricultural production but biodegradable and compostable 100% aerobically plastic biodegrade in less than 180 days, becoming water, humus and CO2in an industrial, environmental and economic global competitiveness (Asia). Polymers from vegetal origin present technical difficulties to be transformed into films in high capacity plants with bi-oriented film lines production, which are the most industrially efficient. This industrial process requires that the polymers used have high resistance to the stretching and the temperature, which do not possess the vegetal origin films and that raises its price (50% higher) and higher density (i.e. PLA-1,24 gr/cm3 vs PP-0,90), which significantly reduces the performance of the film not economically viable for the industry and increasing by 38% the weight of plastic material used for the application. Conclusions from a deep market study indicates that this is our market opportunity. IFS team of 35 people (engineers, production, business developers…), has patented and demonstrated REBICOM® at one of the main customer manufacturers, with significant better properties than competing solutions (15% weight, 14% thickness and 5% production costs reduction), and better price (3,15€/Kg). REBICOM® has a total addressable market potential of €1.000M in flexible packaging segment, growing the company EBITDA from 10% to 29% in 5 years, creating 104 jobs and contributing to enhance 2030 EU targets.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2Coordinator
28001 MADRID
Spain
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.