Project description
Packaging that’s good for our food and the planet
Bio-based plastics, made in whole or partially from renewable biological resources, are mostly used in packaging applications. Growing concerns around single-use packaging waste is putting pressure on companies to improve the sustainability of their packaging. In this context, the EU-funded PRESERVE project will boost the circular use of bio-based packaging. Specifically, it will work to enhance the performance of primary food packaging. It will leverage the compounding of enzymes in bioplastics to stimulate biodegradation. The entire process that is required to produce at least 10 packaging demonstrators will be upscaled. Project results will benefit Europe’s plastic packaging market by creating jobs and growth.
Objective
PRESERVE aims at boosting the circular use of bio-based packaging. To shift from the current situation (fossil-based, limited recycling), we build on award-winning upcycling strategies from past and on-going projects. We will enhance the performance of primary food packaging via bio-based barrier coatings for bioplastic and paper/board substrates, as well as via eBeam irradiation and microfibrillar-reinforcement. From the biotechnological side, we will leverage the compounding of enzymes in bioplastics to stimulate biodegradation, the enzymatic recovery of functional oligomers and the delamination of multilayer packaging via enzymatic detergents to enable their layer separation and recycling.
The processes required to produce at least 10 packaging demonstrators will be upscaled. The enhanced bio-packaging will be validated with different types of food and drinks. Recovered biopolymers will be upcycled in added value applications such as packaging for personal care products and reusable carrier packaging (using textiles and composites).
The versatility of our end of life options, materials, flexible and rigid packaging types and compatibility with different processes, ensure that PRESERVE results are relevant to more than 60% of the plastic packaging on the market, which long term substitution potential will be maximised thanks to the participation of several leading companies in the consortium. Our 2030 roadmap will outline the pathways to significantly influence the emergence of bio-based packaging and create jobs and growth in the sector. To widen PRESERVE impact, we will also perform life cycle and safety assessments, user acceptance studies and contribute to standardisation and certification.
All in all, by contributing to the EU Plastics Strategy in a circular economy, our PRESERVE circular renewably sourced packaging solutions and derived upcycled applications will not only optimally preserve the food and drink but also our environment and its finite resources
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesrecycling
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcomposites
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringtextiles
- engineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesfood technologyfood packaging
- engineering and technologyindustrial biotechnologybiomaterialsbioplastics
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
08940 CORNELLA DE LLOBREGAT
Spain
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participants (27)
72488 Sigmaringen
See on map
1000 Bruxelles / Brussel
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
46980 PATERNA VALENCIA
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
80686 Munchen
See on map
46980 Paterna
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
59100 Prato
See on map
40126 Bologna
See on map
Participation ended
46980 PATERNA VALENCIA
See on map
56127 Pisa (Pi)
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
92700 Colombes
See on map
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.
92700 Colombes
See on map
63200 Riom
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
88416 Ochsenhausen
See on map
1930 Zaventem
See on map
4220 Škofja Loka
See on map
Participation ended
20253 Hamburg
See on map
9000 GENT
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participation ended
02827 Gorlitz
See on map
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)
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
6226BA Maastricht
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participation ended
391 02 Plana Nad Luznici
See on map
08021 Barcelona
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
W1W 7LT London
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
10117 BERLIN
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
91767 Palaiseau
See on map
2633 SENNINGERBERG
See on map
08019 Barcelona
See on map