The FS has showed that the BioPP project has the technical, commercial and financial viability to be implemented.
Technical Feasibility: we have identified and studied the technical and functional design optimizations we will need to implement throughout the EIC Accelerator project (WP1) to scale-up the current BioPP prototype (from prototype 1:10 to prototype 1:1). Through the User Requirement Specification (URS) Document we have demonstrated that BioPP’s main technical features (Unique Selling Points) will not only answer the customer needs, but also will generate clear economic advantages and environmental benefits in the whole paper packaging value chain. We have also outlined the factory and site acceptance tests to be implemented by ORLOGA (internal testing) to verify the technical and functional designs of our final BioPP prototype 1:1; and example of production, quality and installation protocols which will be followed to implement the large scale piloting of our prototype 1:1 with each test partner (potential customers) (WP2).
Commercial Feasibility: we have studied the paper industry, the coated paper market and packaging market, and carried out an in-depth analysis of global key players. We have demonstrated an increasing customer demand for recyclable, and water resistant paper coating solutions in the growing food packaging market and showed that BioPP, with its excellent environmental performance, is the perfect solution answering to the unmet market need. We performed a comparison from the commercial point of view of the main alternative coating solutions currently existing in the market (competitor analysis). Most of the global players we have analyzed so far, have been working on the development and adoption of new products to improve their market shares, especially in the field of bio coating materials, so solutions such as BioPP will have a great attraction for these paper manufacturers and paper processors. We have also identified some European companies which will be the best candidates for BioPP pilot tests (WP2, 15 on-site final validations). We have outlined our business model, Commercialization Strategy and strategy for local suppliers and distributor selection in the target markets. Stage A, offering our innovative hydrophobization service and processing paper jumbo rolls for various industrial uses (€0.10/m2 of paper processed). Stage B, Y3 of commercialization, start selling/licensing our BioPP off-line machines as paper hydrophobization solutions tailored to customer needs (€ 3.5 M/machine). Through our Freedom to Operate (FTO) analysis we have demonstrated that our BioPP process is not infringing any existing patent. We have studied the regulatory framework relevant for our innovation introduction into the market and plan for disseminating our project results.
Financial Feasibility: we have carried out a 5 year sales and revenues forecasts taking into consideration a market launch in October 2022, immediately after the completion of the BioPP EIC Accelerator project. Our company’s ambition is to reach a positive ROI during the second year and to cover the initial investment of € 4 M. Five years after entering the market, we forecast to have sold about 34 BioPP offline machines, with cumulative profits of more than € 50 M, and creation of more than 25 new jobs.
Based on the conclusions of the FS, we have also outlined the main activities to be implemented during the BioPP EIC Accelerator project (24 months: Q4 2020– Q3 2022). We aim to optimize and scale up the current BioPP design (WP1) (prototype 1:1: reaching TRL8) and validate it through the successful implementation of 15 on-site pilot tests (TRL9) (WP2). In parallel, commercial validation activities (WP3; WP4) will be established to enable the maturation of our business plan, based on the industrialization of the BioPP process. These will include: stakeholder and final supply chain analysis; pricing strategy; dissemination strategy to engage a broad range of stakeholders; commercialization plan for further scaling our business model in the EU, and beyond; market and competitor analysis; securing post-project funding; monitoring relevant standards and regulations. Outcomes of the technical and market intelligence work will be fed into our final Business Innovation Plan (WP5), which will be the roadmap for our post-project activities and the full commercialization of BioPP. WP5 will be devoted to Coordination and Project Management
