Periodic Reporting for period 2 - FlexFunction2Sustain (Open Innovation Ecosystem for Sustainable Nano-functionalized Flexible Plastic and Paper Surfaces and Membranes)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2021-10-01 do 2023-03-31
FlexFunction2Sustain will be the first European Initiative to support the Industry in overcoming these challenges through a sustainable Open Innovation Ecosystem. FlexFunction2Sustain develops dedicated services to boost innovation for nano-functionalised flexible plastic and paper surfaces and membranes and offer those services to users, in particular SMEs, in all 27 EU countries through a single entry point (SEP) model with regional presence. FlexFunction2Sustain connects complementary pilot lines to a set of 9 connected lab-2-fab facilities covering all major nano-surface processing techniques for (flexible) plastic and paper surfaces and membranes. The facilities and novel surface functionality will be demonstrated in six relevant industrial application scenarios. 20 pre-commercial pilot case projects will be selected in open calls to demonstrate the Services of the FlexFunction2Sustain OITB.
In parallel FlexFunction2Sustain upgraded the technical facilities of the consortium members for processing of novel bio-based, bio-degradable and/or recyclable plastic and paper based materials that shall replace the state-of-the-art mineral oil based plastic products in e.g. packaging applications. The upgrades of the facility include winding systems to enable the use of materials with low young’s modulus and dimensional stability; modified process stations to reduce process temperatures or to increase productivity and efficiency; and inline quality control solutions to improve yield and quality in pilot processing. Furthermore, FlexFunction2Sustain, in particular the consortium partners IPC and Fraunhofer IVV, enhanced their capabilities for recycling of plastics, and for verifying the recyclability and biodegradability. In december 2022 IPC acquired the TÜV Austria certification for evaluating all relevant biodegradability levels (from industrially compostable to marine degradable).
Finally, dedicated characterisation workflows to evaluate physiochemical properties, application performance and safety approval (e.g. for food contact) are being prepared. A first catalogue of FlexFunction2Sustain characterisation services has been published through the project’s website.
All facilities and technological solutions developed within FlexFunction2Sustain are verified in six industrial use case scenarios that cover food and non-food packaging, biodegradable security labels, switchable water filter membranes and innovative multifunctional electronic surfaces in automotive applications. At month 18 of the project, the partners successfully demonstrated roll-to-roll processing of bio-degradable micro-structured surfaces for security labels; roll-to-roll manufacturing of conductive PET based membranes for filter applications; demonstrators of fully recyclable drink pouches and operational organic solar cells that were deposited on recycled PET films.
At Month 18, FlexFunction2Sustain launched an open call to invite SME for pre-commercial pilot case projects. The SME receive subsidized access to the innovation services of the FlexFunction2Sustain OITB to support and accelerate development of novel products and technologies for smart and sustainable plastics and paper solutions. The submission procedure for project proposals is described on the FlexFunction2Sustain website: www.flexfunction2sustain.eu. 23 applications have been received. 16 of them have been selected as pilot cases and progressing well.
Key innovations comprise:
- open, from the whole EU accessible, “lab-to-fab” facilities for nano-functionalization of plastic and paper surfaces and membranes, being fully prepared for novel – biodegradable or fully recyclable – polymer formulations; covering the whole innovation chain from a lab verification (technology readiness level TRL 4) to pilot and small series production (TRL7)
- a sustainable network of excellence for nanotechnologies for eco-friendly plastic and paper products supporting standardisation activities (together with the whole European Open Innovation Ecosystem); suggesting and consulting regulation activities; and providing market trends and roadmapping activities;
- a fully integrated market- and customer oriented portfolio of joint innovation services covering both technological services (e.g. material design, process development, testing and verification and pilot production) and business services (e.g. IP consulting and securing, due diligence services, support in financing and funding of new ideas, estabilishment of networks and value chains): offered to SME in the whole European Single Market for fair and reasonable conditions through a single point of contact.