europe for sustainable plastics - conference ebrochure
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PLASTiCE International Launch
Conference
Europe for
sustainable
plastics
Bologna, Italy, October 24-25 2011
This project is implemented through the
CENTRAL EUROPE Programme co-
financed by the ERDF
MAMbo
Museo d'Arte Moderna di Bologna
Via Don Giovanni Minzoni, 14—Bologna
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Foreword
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
On behalf of the PLASTiCE project partnership it is my sincere pleasure to wel-come you at the PLASTiCE Launch Conference “Europe for Sustainable Plastics”.
The conference will address the issue of plastics sustainability by giving an over-view of ongoing activities in this field, particularly those funded from European sources.
Sustainability is of course a loosely defined subject but very much parallel to the general objective we are all working for – to reduce the environmental burdens resulting from the great success of plastic materials that has lead to an apparently ever-increasing use of these materials. But there are many ways to follow this goal and only future will show how successful and determined we will be.
In addition to rational use and optimal reuse of plastics a long-term approach to improved sustainability is to make plastics that are integrated with natural cycles. This approach is allowed by bioplastics incorporating the use of renewable re-sources and ultimate biodegradability.
Our conference should highlight cutting edge developments in this area and will hopefully provide some answers to open issues. In particular it should provide sup-port for a stronger push in this direction in Central Europe. Central Europe is at a crossroads: it has great knowledge and potential in the field, but the potential re-mains unrealized. It is in our interest to support a decisive shift in the region toward higher sustainability by joining scientific and industrial development.
Our conference is also a contribution to the celebration of the international year of chemistry and it is almost symbolic of our dependence on the continuous develop-ment of knowledge that it is organized in the beautiful city of Bologna, which is the proud home to the first and oldest continuously operating University in the world.
Finally I would like to thank all participants and presenters for their contributions and I wish that we may achieve our common goals.
Andrej Kržan
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Conference Agenda
October 24th 2011
9:00 Welcome coffee and registration of participants
10:00-10:30 Opening of the Conference,
Antonella LIBERATORE, Emilia-Romagna Region, Territorial Coorperation office
Giuseppe CONTI - Head of Research Office, University of Bologna
Andrej KRŽAN - PLASTiCE Coordinator, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
10:30-11:00 Introduction to sustainable plastics
Past EU Activities Re Sustainable Plastics - Gerhard BRAUNEGG (Graz University of Technology, AT)
11:00-11:20 Coffee Break
11:20-13:00 Session One
11:20-11:40 Turning polysaccharides into plastics. Some European Polysaccharide Network of
Excellence (EPNOE) results - Patrick NAVARD (Armines-Mines Paris Tech-CNRS, FR)
11:40-12:00 SURFUNCELL: Surface functionalization of cellulose matrices using cellulose
embedded nano-particles - Volker RIBITSCH (Graz University, AT)
12:00-12:20 BIOMASA: Utilization of Biomass for the preparation of environmentally friendly
polymer materials - Andrzej OKRUSZEK (Technical University of Lodz, PL)
12:20-12:40 WHEYLAYER: The "Whey" forward for the plastics industry - Robert CARROLL (Pimec, ES)
12:40-13:00 MARGEN: New generation of the polymeric packaging materials susceptible to organic recycling- Marek KOWALCZUK (Polish Academy of Science Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials,PL)
13:00-14:00 Lunch
14:00-15:40 Session one continues
14:00-14:20 ANIMPOL: From Animal waste to PHA-Bioplasics - Martin KOLLER (Graz University of Technology, AT)
14:20-14:40 BIOPOL: Technology of biodegradable polyesters production from renewable resources - Andrzej DUDA (Polish academy of Sciences, PL)
14:40-15:00 ECOSHELL: Bio-materials for structural use in car application - Alain de LARMINAT, Kambiz KAYVANTASH (Citi Technologies, FR)
15:00-15:40 Recent developments in Bioplastics in the frame of AIMPLAS FP6 and FP7 Projects:
PICUS, NATEX, BUGWORKERS, HYDRUS, PLA4Food - Liliana CHAMUDIS (AIMPLAS, ES)
15:40-16:00 Coffee break
16:00-17:40 Session two
16:00-16:20 ECOPACK: Improvement of green labels for packaging and mulching plastics based on application of innovative (eco)toxicological tests for the safe recovery of material
wastes - Daniel RIBERA (BioTox, FR)
16:20-16:40 REBIOFOAM: Development of a flexible and energy-efficient pressurised microwave heating process to produce 3D-shaped Renewable BIO-Polymer FOAMs for novel
generation of transportation packaging - Federica MASTROIANNI (Novamont, IT)
16:40-17:00 HORTIBIOPACK: Development of innovative bidegradable packaging system to improve shelf life, quality and safety of high-value sensitive horticultural fresh produce - Demetres BRIASSOULIS (Agricultural University of Athens, GR)
17:00-17:20 Construction and outfitting of Center of Bioimmobilisation and innovative Packaging materials - Artur BARTKOWIAK (Center of Bioimmobilisation and Innovative Packaging Materials, PL)
17:20-17:40 ECOBIOCAP: ECOefficient BIOdegradable Composite Advanced Packaging - Natalie GONTARD (Joitn Research Agro-Polymers Engineering and Emerging Technologies , FR)
19:30 Dinner
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Conference Agenda
October 25th 2011
09:20-11:00 Session three
09:20-09:40 Development of Biobased/Biodegradable/Compostable Nanocomposite Mulching Films - Erhan PISKIN (Ahcettepe University and Biyomedtek,TR)
09:40-10:00 The new assortment of biodegradable products for agriculture developed in a frame of the realisation of BIOGRATEX project -Technologies and Properties - Izabella KRUCINSKA (Technical University Lodz, PL)
10:00-10:20 BIOAGROTEX: Development of new agrotextiles from renewable resources and with a
tailored biodegradability - Stijn MONSAERT (Centrexbel, BE)
10:20-10:40 BIOMASS WASTE - A source of raw materials and energy - Matjaž KUNAVER (PoliMaT, SI)
10:40-11:00 FORBIOPLAST: Bio-composites based on forest derived materials and biodegradable
polymers - Andrea LAZZERI (University of Pisa, IT)
11:00-11:20 Coffee break
11:20-13:00 Session four
11:20-11:40 MARINECLEAN: Marine debris removal and preventing further litter entry - Janez NAVODNIK (PoliEko, SI)
11:40-12:00 BIOCHEM: Eco-IP Partnership for Driving Innovation in the Sector of Bio-based Products - Maria Grazia ZUCCHINI (Aster, IT)
12:00-12:20 NOVAMONT - Federica MASTROIANNI (Novamont, IT)
12:20-12:40 MIREL - Stanislaw HAFTKA (Telles, NL)
12:40-13:00 ASSOBIOPLASTICHE - David NEWMAN (Assobioplastiche, IT)
13:00-14:00 Lunch
14:00-15:00 Session five
14:00-14:20 ECOCORTEC - Ivana RADIC BORSIC (Ecocortec, HR)
14:20-14:40 ECOZEMA - Armido MARANA (Ecozema, IT)
14:40-16:00 Round table - Conclusions, Recommendations, Follow up
16:00-17:00 Giuded tour of the Museum
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About the Conference
Europe for Sustainable Plastics is an international conference organized as the
Launch Conference of the PLASTiCE (Innovative Value Chain Development
for Sustainable Plastics in Central Europe) project, which started in April 2011
within the Central Europe programme.
In Central Europe, Europe and beyond there are currently a number of ongoing
projects dealing with the broader issue of sustainable plastics. In addition there are
also numerous activities carried out by companies and associations working to pro-
mote the wider use of sustainable plastics. These activities range from basic sci-
ence to the development of marketable applications. The Europe for sustainable
plastics conference was planned to join these actors in one focused event and give
them an opportunity to present their work and forward views.
By this we hope to provide a much needed snapshot of the current situation and a
de facto overview of the developing trends in bioplastics and other modern, sustain-
able plastic materials and solutions. The conference should help in realizing im-
portant synergies but also to point out the unresolved challenges still waiting
ahead. The results of the conference will be widely distributed after the event is
finished thus reaching an audience much greater than that present in Bologna.
The program of the conference consists of more than 25 presentations of the cur-
rent state-of-the-art by:
national and international R&D project coordinators/representatives giving
their views on the topic from the scientific/academic and potential application
development viewpoint;
industry representatives presenting their current successes and future goals
as well as their view of future trends (environmental view, market view);
NGO representatives working within the environmental sector to promote
the use of sustainable plastics.
The contributions cover the development of novel materials for various applications
such as packaging, agriculture, textiles etc. indicating the expected wider ac-
ceptance of these materials in the future. We expect that the conference will be an
opportunity to identify new synergies between projects and institutions that may
ease the process of making solid advances. In addition the aggregate view will al-
low us to identify the trends, and more importantly the barriers that still exist and
limit the wider use of new sustainable plastics and that we should overcome in the
future.
6
About PLASTiCE
The international project PLASTiCE - Innovative value chain development for
sustainable plastics in Central EuropeInnovative value chain development
for sustainable plastics in Central Europe started in April 2011 within the Cen-
tral Europe Programme. It brings together 13 partners from 4 countries (Italy, Slo-
vakia, Slovenia and Poland) that represent the entire value chain from production
to waste management and enjoys a strong support from institutions of knowledge.
The PLASTiCE project has as its objective to promote new environmentally
friendly and sustainable solutions, particularly biodegradable plastics, in the pack-
aging and end-user industry. This will be achieved through information dissemina-
tion and by identifying and removing barriers to the faster and more widespread
use of sustainable types of plastic, particularly biodegradable plastics and plastics
based on renewable resources, in Central Europe.
Among the most important project objectives are:
raising awareness among target groups including general public on the issue
of biodegradable plastics
improving technology transfer and knowledge exchange mechanisms with end
-user industries
improving access to scientific knowledge and the use of already existing
knowledge as well as adapting it to the requirements of biodegradable poly-
mer and plastics producers
intensifying application-oriented cooperation between research and industry.
The project is following these objectives by dissemination of information through
National Information Points that will be established in all participating countries,
as well as through targeted events. We are conducting an analysis of market ex-
pectations and case studies of the value chain that will be the basis for the devel-
opment a Transnational Advisory Scheme and proposing a Roadmap for Joint
R&D Scheme, which will to intensify application-oriented cooperation between
research and industry.
These actions are tailored, but not limited, to the particular needs of Central Eu-
rope with its specific situation The region possesses relatively strong centres of
knowledge on biodegradable materials but lags in the application of such materi-
als as well as production and commercial activity linked to them. By joining and
combining the R&D potential from different countries this project has a well-
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About PLASTiCE
rounded scientific support that is being applied to addressing these shortcom-
ings.
Through the combined effect of information, regulatory support and by involving
the complete value chain contribution (research, producer, converter, end user)
the project will contribute to overcoming current obstacles to the wider use of
sustainable plastics use in Central Europe and through the lessons learnt else-
where as well.
(www.plastice.org)
PROJECT PARTNERS
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About CENTRAL EUROPE
CENTRAL EUROPE is an EU programme that encourages transnational cooper-
ation among the countries of Central Europe to improve innovation, accessibility
and the environment and to enhance the competitiveness and attractiveness of
cities and regions.
The CENTRAL EUROPE programme invests € 231 million to provide funding to
projects carried out in partnership involving national, regional and local institu-
tions from Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, the
Slovak Republic and Slovenia.
The CENTRAL EUROPE programme area covers about 1,050,000 square kilo-
metres, an area that is approximately a fifth of the EU landmass. About 148 mil-
lion citizens or 28 percent of the EU population live in this area. CENTRAL EU-
ROPE is financed by the Euro-
pean Regional Development
Fund and runs from 2007 to
2013.
The programme area is char-
acterised by a high population
density as well as a high de-
gree of urbanisation, with 73
percent of the population living
in cities or urban areas. Its
economy shows high dispari-
ties with regard to income and
living standards: Besides en-
compassing some of Europe’s
richest regions, CENTRAL
EUROPE also includes some
of Europe’s poorest ones.
CENTRAL EUROPE aims to contribute to reducing these differences through
cooperation between regions, working towards joint solutions to common prob-
lems and actions that harness the regions’ potential. The programme should
also help to strengthen the overall competitiveness by stimulating innovation and
promoting excellence throughout Central Europe.
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Abstracts and Posters
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Presentations in alphabetic order of speakers
CONSTRUCTION AND OUTFITTING OF CENTER OF BIOIMMOBILISATION AND INNOVATIVE
PACKAGING MATERIALS; BARTKOWIAK, Artur (Center of Bioimmobilisation and Innovative Packaging
Materials, Poland)
HORTIBIOPACK- DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE BIDEGRADABLE PACKAGING SYSTEM TO
IMPROVE SHELF LIFE, QUALITY AND SAFETY OF HIGH-VALUE SENSITIVE HORTICULTURAL
FRESH PRODUCE; BRIASSOULIS, Demetres (Agricultural University of Athens Department of Natural
Resources and Agricultural Engineering, Greece)
Abstract, Poster
WHEYLAYER - THE »WHEY« TO SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING; CARROLL, ROBERT, Pimec (The SME
association of Catalunya, Spain)
Abstract, Poster
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN BIOPLASTICS IN THE FRAME OF AIMPLAS FP6 AND FP7
PROJECTS; CHAMUDIS, Liliana (AIMPLAS, Spain)
Abstract, Poster1, Poster2, Poster3, Poster4, Poster5
BIOPOL- TECHNOLOGY OF BIODEGRADABLE POLYESTERS PRODUCTION FROM RENEWABLE
RESOURCES; DUDA, Andrzej (Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Science,
Poland)
Abstract
ECOBIOCAP- ECOEFFICIENT BIODEGRADABLE COMPOSITE ADVANCED PACKAGING;
GONTARD, Natalie (Joint Research Unit Agro-polymers Engineering and Emerging Technologies, France)
Abstract
ANIMPOL - FROM ANIMAL WASTE TO PHA-BIOPLASTICS ; KOLLER, Martin (Graz University of
Technology, Austria)
Abstract, Poster
MARGEN-NEW GENERATION OF THE POLYMERIC PACKAGING MATERIALS SUSCEPTIBLE TO
ORGANIC RECYCLING; KOWALCZUK, Marek (Polish Academy of Science Centre of Polymer and Carbon
Materials, Poland)
Abstract, Poster
THE NEW ASSORTMENT OF BIODEGRADABLE PRODUCTS FOR AGRICULTURE DEVELOPED IN
A FRAME OF TEH REALISATION OF BIOGRATEX PROJECT -TECHNOLOGIES AND PROPERTIES;
KRUCINSKA, Izabella (Technical University of Lodz, Department of Material and Commodity Sciences and Textile
Metrology, Poland)
Abstract
BIOMASS WASTE – A SOURCE OF RAW MATERIALS AND ENERGY; KUNAVER, Matjaž (Center of
Excellence PoliMaT, Slovenia)
Abstract
ECOSHELL- BIO-MATERIALS FOR STRUCTURAL USE IN CAR APPLICATION; de LARMINAT, Alain
(CITI Technologies, France)
Abstract, Poster
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FORBIOPLAST– BIO-COMPOSITES BASED ON FOREST DERIVED MATERIALS AND
BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS; LAZZERI, Andrea (University of Pisa, Department of Chemical Engineering,
Italy)
Abstract
REBIOFOAM -DEVELOPMENT OF A FLEXIBLE AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT PRESSURISED
MICROWAVE HEATING PROCESS TO PRODUCE 3D-SHAPED RENEWABLE BIO-POLYMER
FOAMS FOR NOVEL GENERATION OF TRASPORTATION PACKAGING; MASTROIANNI, Federica
(Novamont SpA, Italy)
Abstract
BIOAGROTEX- DEVELOPMENT OF NEW AGROTEXTILES FROM RENEWABLE RESOURCES AND
WITH A TAILORED BIODEGRADABILITY; MONSAERT, Stijn (Centrexbel, Belgium)
Abstract
TURNING POLYSACCHARIDES INTO PLASTICS. SOME EUROPEAN POLYSACCHARIDE
NETWORK OF EXCELLENCE (EPNOE) RESULTS; NAVARD, Patrick (Armines-Mines ParisTech -CNRS,
France)
Abstract, Poster
MARINECLEAN- MARINE DEBRIS REMOVAL AND PREVENTING FURTHER LITTER ENTRY;
NAVODNIK, Janez* and Pogač, Vladimir** (*Technology center PoliEko,**Turna, Slovenia)
Abstract
BIOMASA- UTILIZATION OF BIOMASS FOR THE PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY
FRIENDLY POLYMER MATERIALS; OKRUSZEK, Andrzej (Technical University of Lodz, Poland)
Abstract
DEVELOPMENT OF BIOBASED/BIODEGRADABLE/COMPOSTABLE NANOCOMPOSITE
MULCHING FILMS; PIŞKIN, Erhan (Hacettepe University and Biyomedtek, Ankara, Turkey)
Abstract
ECOPACK- IMPROVEMENT OF GREEN LABELS FOR PACKAGING AND MULCHING PLASTICS
BASED ON APPLICATION OF INNOVATIVE (ECO)TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS FOR THE SAFE
RECOVERY OF MATERIAL WASTES; RIBERA, Daniel (BIO-TOX, France)
Abstract
SURFUNCELL- SURFACE FUNCTIONALISATION OF CELLULOSE MATRICES USING CELLULOSE
EMBEDDED NANO-PARTICLES; RIBITSCH, Volker (Universitaet Graz, Austria)
Abstract
BIOCHEM – ECO-IP PARTNERSHIP FOR DRIVING INNOVATION IN THE SECTOR OF BIO-BASED
PRODUCTS; ZUCCHINI, Maria Grazia (Aster, IT)
Abstract, Poster1, Poster2
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Development of innovative biodegradable packaging system to improve shelf life, quality and safety
of high-value sensitive horticultural fresh produce
Demetres Briassoulis
Agricultural University of Athens
Background
Equilibrium Modified Atmosphere Packaging (EMAP)
of Fresh Produce is increasingly used to extend shelf-life
of fresh produce. Increased EMAP usage coupled with
negative environmental views associated with
nondegradable synthetic packaging materials creates a
societal demand and a need of SMEs for
biodegradable films.
aims at developing innovative and safe biodegradable
Equilibrium Modified Atmosphere Packaging film sys-
tems based mainly on the use of environmental friendly
bio-based, biodegradable raw materials aiming at the
improvement of the shelf life, quality and safety of spe-
cific high value sensitive horticultural fresh produce.
Several research works are in progress worldwide aiming
at developing biodegradable packaging materials for var-
ious applications, including food packaging. A limited
portion of this research effort is dedicated to EMAP
packaging systems. The development of biodegradable
films that are based on renewable raw materials and de-
signed for EMAP systems for fresh produce, meeting the
design criteria of gas transport properties, ensuring safety
of the produce while maintaining its original quality,
firmness and colour is still at the very early stages of
research and development.
Objectives of HortiBioPack
Design biodegradable Equilibrium Modified
Atmosphere Packaging film systems to offer
optimal gas transport properties tailored to
achieve Equilibrium Modified Atmosphere Pack-
aging (EMAP) of high value fresh horticultural
produce through the development of new and
existing technologies.
Develop active and intelligent packaging sys-
tems which regulate the modified atmosphere
and actively interact to prevent spoilage through
modified nano-fillers against microbial action.
Develop compostable packaging systems,
mainly based on renewable raw materials,
CEN 13432 certified.
Optimise EMAP systems in terms of design
and low-cost, with enhanced mechanical and
physical behaviour through optimisation of the
processing parameters of low thickness film,
depending on the application
Two specific sensitive high value horticultural fresh pro-
duce representing fruits (peach) and vegetables (cherry
tomato) are considered.
Progress
During the first period of the project, the design require-
ments of two representative horticultural products
(cherry tomatoes and peaches) were studied with respect
to shelf lifetime, quality, and safety to consumers. The
optimal EMAP conditions for the two horticultural prod-
ucts (cherry tomatoes and peaches), selected as typical
examples, were determined by extensive full scale stor-
age experiments. All crucial parameters defining the op-
timal EMAP conditions were identified and quantified.
The mechanical, physical and chemical properties of
existing biodegradable materials were critically re-
viewed. Moreover, the European legal framework regu-
lating food packaging materials was critically reviewed.
After a systematic literature review and testing of exist-
ing biodegradable, bio-based films and taking into ac-
count the above results, PLA was selected as the packag-
ing material to be used for developing the new EMAP
system for cherry tomatoes and peaches.
Based on the design requirements already established for
cherry tomatoes and peaches, a new PLA based EMAP
with micro-perforations system was designed that meets
the corresponding requirements. Combined experimental
work and numerical simulations were used to design the
new system. In parallel the introduction of nano-particles
with antimicrobial action is under investigation with re-
spect to both the biological effect of such additives and
their compatibility to the matrix material.
Full scale experiments are in progress (peach for the
summer and early autumn period; cherry tomatoes for
late autumn period) for validating and optimising the
new EMAP system for cherry tomatoes and peaches.
Results already presented in the scientific community
and dissemination activities may be found in the web
page of the project: http://www.hortibiopack.aua.gr/
Expected final results
1. Design requirements for developing biodegradable
EMAP and selection of biobased biodegradable mate-
rials.
2. Design of micro-perforation in combination with
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membrane permeability characteristics to meet
EMAP requirements
3. Innovative biobased biodegradable film processing
technology
4. Novel nanotechnology systems for biodegradable
EMAP film
5. Prototypes: biodegradable EMAP solutions for peach
and cherry tomatoes; extension of the design to straw-
berries and arugula (or rucola).
The introduction of novel environmentally friendly pack-
aging materials in EMAP for fresh produce will boost
several high technology SMEs working in this field, and
reduce the negative environmental impact of the exten-
sive use of plastics in such applications.
Partnership
The project objectives are achieved by bringing together
research teams of high scientific quality with complimen-
tary expertise and experiences in the field, along with a
group of SMEs with complementarity in business inter-
ests and/or regional characteristics and applications all of
them targeting the development of innovative biode-
gradable packaging for fresh horticultural produce:
AUA - Agricultural University of Athens (EL)
Mach S.R.L. (I)
Advanced & NanoMaterials Research s.r.l. (I)
Irmatech (F)
Pacsystem AB Svenskt (S)
Ingino raffaele s.r.l. (I)
Alfa Beta Roto S.A. (EL)
CNR - National Research Council of Italy (I):
Institute of Polymer Chemistry and Technology
(ICTP-CNR)
Sassari Unit of Institute of Sciences of Food
Production (ISPA-SS)
Institute of Food Science (ISA)
UBS - University of South Brittany (F)
SIK - The Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnol-
ogy (S)
Project Coordinator
Prof. Demetres Briassoulis
AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS,
Department of Natural Resources & Agricultural Engi-
neering
75, Iera Odos Str., 11855 Athens, Greece
Tel.: +30.210.5294011, FAX: +30.210.5294023
E-mail address: [email protected]
Typical simulation of a laser micro-perforated film with
small WVTR
Experiments with peach packed in EMAP prototype bags
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Wheylayer: the whey to sustainable packaging
Robert Carroll
PIMEC: the SME association of Cataluyna
The whey forward to sustainable packaging
The WHEYLAYER Project is a 3 year industry driven
research and development project that is being funded
by the European Commission’s Seventh Framework
Programme under “Research for SME- Associations”.
The aim of the this cooperative research project was to
replace currently used synthetic oxygen-barrier layers
with whey protein coatings. Preliminary tests on the
oxygen permeation properties of whey-protein-coated
plastic films carried out to date have revealed that Whey
protein isolate (WPI) or concentrate (WPC) coating
solutions displayed excellent oxygen barrier properties
at low to intermediate Relative Humidity, comparable to
synthetic oxygen barriers and have showed great
promise in the potential of whey protein coatings for
replacing existing expensive synthetic oxygen barrier
polymers.
This present research project has built upon exiting
research in order to arrive at a commercially feasible
technique for developing whey coated plastic films,
without jeopardising the oxygen or moisture barrier
performance of conventional plastic films, while
increasing the recyclability of these plastics.
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Recent developments in Bioplastics in the frame of AIMPLAS FP6 and FP7 Projects
Presenter: Liliana Chamudis
AIMPLAS
This communication reports some of the current achieve-
ments in the field of bioplastics developed by AIMPLAS
in collaboration with industrial and research organisa-
tions in the frame of EU projects. The goals, research
areas addressed and results obtained are presented for
FP6 Project PICUS and FP7 Projects NATEX, HY-
DRUS, BUGWORKERS and PLA4FOOD. The research
is focused to improve characteristics and processing of
bioplastics (thermoplastic starch, PLA, or PHA/PHB) for
application in diverse industrial sectors such as packag-
ing, agriculture, electrical/electronic, white goods or
structural composites.
Projects:
Development of a 100 % Biodegradable
Plastic fiber to manufacture twines to
stake creeping plants and nets for pack-
aging agricultural products.
Project Type: EC FP6 Co-operative Research Project
(CRAFT). Horizontal Research Activities involving
SMEs
PICUS aimed to develop 100% biodegradable plastic
fibres to be used in two specific applications: a) Twines
used for staking and propping crops in greenhouses, and
b) nets for packaging low-weight (up to 5 kg) agricultur-
al, marine and non food products. PICUS objectives
were:
•To develop a fibre that fulfils the mechanical and ther-
mal demands of a traditional staking twine and packag-
ing net during the useful life span, but undergoing com-
plete biodegradation after harvest on composting condi-
tions (twines) and without their disposal problems (nets).
•To find an environmentally friendly solution for the
management of the plastic waste generated by plastic
twines and net.
•To contribute in overcoming the lack of technical expe-
rience that exists about flexible fibre manufacture with
biodegradable polymers.
The new plastic fibres obtained in PICUS fulfilled the
following criteria: 100% biodegradable (“on-farm com-
posted” or treated in composting plants (Municipal Solid
Waste System) after its useful life), hydrophobic, easy
cutting, easy processing, and low plastodeformation.
Figure 1. PICUS Twisted Staking Twines (left &PICUS Net in
tubular form (right).
Natural aligned fibres and textiles for
use in structural composite applica-
tions
Project Type: EC FP7 Collaborative Project (NMP)
targeted to SMEs
NATEX develops aligned textiles from natural fibres
suitable for use as high strength reinforcing fabrics to
produce structural composite parts using bio-based ther-
moplastics (PLA) and thermoset resins. NATEX main
objectives are:
•Development of aligned textiles from natural fibres that
are suitable to be used as high-strength reinforcing fab-
rics for the production of structural biocomposite materi-
als and components.
•To promote the use of natural fibres in structural appli-
cations where traditional materials are currently used; for
this purpose hemp and flax natural fibres are used.
•To make the shift from resource to knowledge intensive
industry through the development of advanced technical
textiles.
•To bring innovative developments in various areas: fibre
preparation, yarns manufacturing, fabric architecture,
polymer selection and modification, processing, joining
and finishing technologies, design of parts using CAD/
CAE tools, etc.
NATEX proves that natural fibres and textiles are a via-
ble solution and can be available for our society in the
near future. The new products – based on natural re-
sources – will offer competitive alternatives in structural
composite parts where nowadays materials from non-
renewable resources are used.
In the project, case studies are developed in four industri-
al sectors: transport systems (motor-cover and grit con-
tainer), energy systems (housing for solar and thermal
panels), agricultural systems (tractor floor) and ship-
building (boat access door).
Development of crosslinked flexi-
ble bio-based and biodegradable
pipe and drippers for micro-
irrigation applications.
Project Type: EC FP7 Capacities Research for the bene-
fit of SMEs (R4SME)
HYDRUS aims to develop plastic pipes and drips for
Figure 2:Microscopy
images of composite
plate made of PLA
reinforced with flax
fibre
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micro-irrigation systems produced
with bio-based and biodegradable
material which will maintain the
functional properties during their
lifespan and at the same time biode-
grade after use in composting con-
ditions. The developed pipes and drips fulfil the follow-
ing requirements:
•Mechanical properties ~ current PE pipes (reactive ex-
trusion, structural changes).
•Traditional plastic processing methods & conventional
agricultural machinery
•Completely biodegradable and not harmful afterwards
(soil/compost)
•Thermally, mechanically and chemically resistant and
inert
•Mechanically recyclable product
•Economically viable
The main results achieved in HYDRUS are:
•new biodegradable pipe/drip fulfilling micro-irrigation
systems requirements including biodegradability stand-
ards.
•Compound formulations, including the necessary addi-
tives and polymer blends, to ensure that the properties of
the final products are met.
•The understanding on reactive extrusion and structural
changes.
New Tailor-made PHB-based
nanocomposites for high per-
formance applications pro-
duced from environmentlly friendly production
routes
Project Type: EC FP7 Collaborative Project (NMP)
targeted to SMEs
BUGWORKERS project aims to develop a new cost-
competitive and environmentally friendly bionanocom-
posite material based on the combination of a polyhy-
droxybutyrate (PHB) matrix produced by new fermenta-
tion culture technology with two types of nanofibres,
cellulose whiskers and lignin-based, in order to have a
true alternative to engineering materials in two main sec-
tors: household appliances, computers and telecommuni-
cations. The project objectives are:
• to increase the PHB yield by high density fermentation
cultures and hydrolyzing sugars from agricultural waste
as the main feed stocks
• to develop 2 grades of PHB (homo- and co-polymer);
one with high crystallinity and high thermal and chemical
resistance, the other a co-polymer with improved flexibil-
ity and impact resistance
• to develop functionalised lignin-based nanofibres and
cellulose-whiskers obtained through enzymatic treat-
ments from renewable resources
• To develop compounding and processing technologies
with the aim of reducing material needs and improving
the end product properties
Figure 3. PHB synthesized by bacteria – final product
Active Multilayer Packaging based on Optimized
PLA formulations for Minimally Processed Vegeta-
bles and Fruits
Project Type: EC FP7 Capacities
R4SME
PLA4FOOD project is focused to the
development of innovative active and biodegradable
packaging for fresh-cut food products
based on renewable resources thermo-
plastic materials (PLA-polylactic acid)
functionalised with the synergic addition
of additives from natural sources
(antioxidants, antibacterial and antifun-
gal) in order to increase the shelf-life of
packed products. Different encapsulation
routes will be tested to protect active
additives from processing conditions and
to have controlled migration
rates. PLA4FOOD main objectives are:
to minimize PLA current limitations in flexibility,
water barrier properties and processability using dif-
ferent additives: bio-based lactic-acid plasticizers,
inorganic nanofillers and organic nucleants.
to develop co-extrusion techniques to achieve the best
cost/benefit ratio and optimal performance of the ac-
tive packaging by controlling the thickness and crys-
tallinity of each layer.
to produce new active and biodegradable packages
from renewable sources that will provide minimally
processed fresh-cut products adequate protection
against environmental agents, will improve product
properties (quality, shelf-life, microbiological safety
and nutritional values), and moreover, will degrade in
composting conditions according to the standard
UNE-EN 13432.AR
Partnerships:
These projects are coordinated by AIMPLAS in Spain
and carried out with the collaboration of industrial enter-
prises and research organisations round Europe..
Acknowledgements: The research leading to these re-
sults has received funding from the European Union
Sixth & Seventh Framework Programme (FP6/2002-
2006; FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement numbers
17684 (PICUS), 214467 (NATEX), 246449
(BUGWORKERS) 262557 (PLA4FOOD), 231975
(HYDRUS)
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Technology of Biodegradable Polyesters Production from Renewable Resources - BIOPOL
Andrzej Duda and Stanislaw Slomkowski
Center of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences
Sienkiewicza 112, PL-90-363 Lodz, Poland
Project objective
The general objective of Biopol project is to carry out
strategic research and development of innovative techno-
logical solutions employing the renewable materials base
followed by creating new products assortment from the
resulting biodegradable polymers.
Biopol project aims also to meet the needs connected
with the necessity to use biodegradable materials in Po-
land. This is due to a common awareness of the im-
portance of the environment in a human life. Thus, ef-
forts are made to enable a development of environmen-
tally friendly polymeric high-tonnage products based on
new “clean technologies”. It is also possible to use biode-
gradable polyesters in the biomedical area, for example
in controlled drug delivery systems or as bioresorbable
implants.
Specific objectives
To develop production technologies of polylactide (PLA)
in the model research installation (PLA installation).
To develop production technologies of biodegradable
aliphatic-aromatic polyester (BPE) in the model re-
search installation (IBPE installation).
To implement the results of chemical modification of
PLA, IBPE, and PLA-IBPE blends and copolymers
To implement the results of processing of PLA, IBPE,
and PLA-IBPE.
To develop the projects of PLA, IBPE, and PLA-IBPE
based industrial goods.
Partners of the project
Center of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies of
the Polish Academy of Sciences in Lodz - the Project
coordinator
Research carried out at the Center encompasses funda-
mental problems of organic, bioorganic, and macromo-
lecular chemistry and physics. These studies include also
methods of designing modern, high-tech materials. The
earlier research led to development of the methods for
the synthesis of the biodegradable polyesters. Parallel
studies were performed allowing correlation of the poly-
esters microstructure with their performance behavior.
The Center is also currently participating in the imple-
mentation of complementary BIOMASA, BIOGRA-
TEX, and MARGEN projects, which together with BIO-
POL, shall lead to the elaboration of new technology:
beginning with renewable raw materials and finishing
with specialized products made from biodegradable poly-
esters.
Institute of Biopolymers and Chemical Fibers in Lodz
The Institute conducts research and carries out develop-
ment tasks leading to the implementation of the new so-
lutions in the area of synthesis, processing modification,
and use of biopolymers. Techniques and technologies for
production, processing and use of chemical fibers are
also being developed. The Institute is working on the
technology of one of the biodegradable polymers covered
by the BIOPOL project, as well as upon the implementa-
tion of tasks related to the BIOGRATEX and BIOMASA
projects.
Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technol-
ogy
The Faculty belongs to the largest polytechnic faculties
of chemistry in Poland. Over 850 students at the under-
graduate level and nearly 110 Ph.D. students are educat-
ed. The main directions of research at the Faculty con-
cern fundamental problems of chemistry and are correlat-
ed with the needs of the economy of the country and of
the region in the widely understood area of the chemical
technology. Department of Chemistry and Technology of
Polymers is involved in the implementation of the BIO-
POL and MARGEN projects. The main activities of the
Laboratory of Technological Processes are to design, and
then to participate in the construction of experimental
installation of biodegradable polyesters.
Realization period
1st January 2009. – 31st December 2013
Project manager
Prof. Dr. Stanisław Slomkowski – Director of Center of
Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy
of Sciences in Lodz.
The Project is realized upon Contract Number
POIG.01.01.02-10-025/09 and co-financed by European
Union in the frame of the Operational Program – Inno-
vative Economy financed from the European Regional
Development Fund.
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EcoBioCAP
Ecoefficient Biodegradable Composite Advanced Packaging
Natalie Gontard
Joint Research Unit Agro-polymers Engineering and Emerging Technologies, France
Call: FP7-KBBE-2010-4
WP Topic addressed: KBBE.2010.2.3-01:
Development of biodegradable food packaging
Type of funding scheme: Collaborative project (small/
medium-scale research project)
Name of coordinating person: Prof. Nathalie Gontard
EcoBioCAP will provide the EU food industry with
customizable, ecoefficient, biodegradable packaging
solutions with direct benefits both for the environment
and EU consumers in terms of food quality and safety.
This next-generation packaging will be developed using
advanced composite structures based on constituents
(biopolyesters, fibres, proteins, polyphenolic compounds,
bioadhesives and high-performance bio-additives)
derived from food industry (oil, dairy, cereal and beer)
by-products only and by applying innovative processing
strategies (blends and multilayers at different scales) to
enable customisation of the packaging’s properties to fit
the functional, cost, safety and environmental impact
requirements of the targeted fresh perishable food (fruit
and vegetables, cheese and ready-to-eat meals).
Demonstration activities with SMEs and industrial
partners will enable the EcoBioCAP technology to be
optimised in terms stability, safety, environmental impact
and cost- effectiveness before full exploitation. The
development of a decision support system for use by the
whole packaging chain will make the EcoBioCAP
technology accessible to all stakeholders. Extensive
outreach activities will not only disseminate the project
results to the scientific community but also ensure that
consumers and end-users are informed of the usage
conditions and benefits of such bio-degradable packaging
and how it should be disposed of.
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Major Objectives
The project ANIMPOL (»Biotechnological conversion of
carbon containing wastes for eco-efficient production of
high added value products«) utilises waste streams from
slaughterhouses, the animal rendering industry and waste
fractions from conventional biodiesel manufacture for the
production of improved biodiesel (fatty acid esters, FAE)
and high-value biodegradable polymeric materials
(polyhydroxyalkanoates, PHA).
Significance of the Project: The Raw Materials
The entire amounts of animal lipids from the
slaughtering process in Europe can be quantified with
more than 500.000 t per year. According to the European
Biodiesel Board, the available saturated biodiesel
fraction from this waste amounts to annually 50.000 t.
This saturated FAE cause problems when used as fuel
due to its elevated cold filter plugging point which is
limiting in blends that exceed 20 vol.-% FAE. From the
saturated FAE, the amount of PHA biopolyesters that can
theoretically be produced amounts to about 35.000 t
annually, if calculated with a conversion yield of 0.7 g/g.
The surplus glycerol phase (CGP) from the biodiesel
production is estimated for Europe with annually
265.000 metric tons. If applied for production of
catalytically active biomass capable to produce PHA, one
can expect about 0.4 g biomass per g of glycerol.
Scientific Approach
PHA are produced from saturated FAE that can have a
negative effect on the properties of biodiesel when used
as engine fuel. Various techniques including
microbiology, genetics, biotechnology, mathematical
modelling of the bioprocesses, chemical engineering,
polymer chemistry- and processing are used to produce
these high-value biopolymers. These studies are
supported by process development, life cycle analysis
and feasibility studies covering the use of and the
marketing of the final products. Involving close
cooperation between academic and industrial partners,
the project aims to solve local waste disposal problems
affecting the entire EU. Fig. 1 illustrates the principles of
the project.
Status of development
Within the first half of the project, the focus of the
ANIMPOL activities was especially directed to the
allocation of raw materials by industrial project partners
and their characterization, and to the application of these
raw materials as carbon sources for the cultivation of
different microbial strains able to accumulate
polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolyesters. Also
elaboarated was the optimization of the biotechnological
production of PHA from the respective raw materials by
selected strains, the enhanced downstream processing for
separation of biomass and product isolation, and the
characterization of the produced biomaterials. Based on
the obtained data, the process flow sheet for the
designing of an envisaged pilot scale plant for production
of PHA from the applied waste streams has been adapted
and enhanced; this adaptation is an evolutionary process
that still will go on until the end of the project. Based on
this process flow sheet, calculations are already available
underlining the economic viability of the process to be
developed and designed.
Considerable progress was achieved concerning the
production of fatty acid esters from animal waste lipids.
Here, several animal organs that constitute clearly
surplus materials without interfering with food and feed
purposes were investigated in detail concerning their
fatty acid profiles and converted towards different FAEs.
A lot of attention was devoted to such organs containing
special fatty acids acting as precursors for special PHA
building blocks. Here, also hydrolysis experiments were
carried out for the generation of precursors for special
PHA building blocks from different animal fractions.
The obtained esters were applied successfully as carbon
sources for microbial cultivation, aiming on the
production of PHA.
Fermentation protocols on laboratory bioreactor scale
have been developed for those production strains that,
according to the tests on laboratory scale, appeared to be
most promising during the first project period. Here, data
are available for the production of PHA homo- and co-
polyesters starting from the animal-waste derived carbon
sources glycerol and FAE together with the application
of special precursors for incorporation of desired co-
monomers into the PHA chains. In addition, a broad
The ANIMPOL Project: From Animal Waste to PHA-Bioplastics
Martin Koller, Anna Salerno, Alexander Muhr, Angelika Reiterer, Heidemarie Malli, Karin Malli, Gerhart
Braunegg
Institute of Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering
Graz University of Technology, Austria
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number of kinetic analyses for discontinuous and
continuous PHA production processes were carried out
by mathematical modeling of the experimental data,
providing new insights in this complex topic.
Novel strategies were successfully tested to separate cells
from the liquid supernatant and to isolate the
biopolyesters from the surrounding cell mass. This was
done by applying biomasses and fermentation broths
containing high densities of PHA-rich cells. Here, the
minimizing of energy and solvent input was the target of
the conducted experiments.
A considerable quantity of work was already
accomplished in the characterization of the properties of
the produced biopolymers. Short chain length as well as
medium chain length PHA were produced by the groups
that are active in microbiology and biotechnology. The
PHA were analyzed by the responsible partners regarding
their material properties. The required feedback of these
data arrived promptly at the biotechnologists to adapt
their fermentation strategies.
Biodegradation tests in various environments were
carried out, accompanied by the assessment of the
ecological and toxicological impact of the materials.
In addition, a broad PHA-based composites were
successfully produced using novel, biobased filler
materials. To a certain extend they even constitute agro-
industrial waste streams which are now upgraded to the
role of value-added raw materials for novel plastic items.
Also the processing of large amounts of allocated PHA
was already started by the responsible industrial partners
in order to get novel insights in the melting and
processing behavior of these biomaterials.
Dissemination of the results as a central item of
ANIMPOL was done by a huge number of written and
oral publications in research journals, industrial journals
and books as well as at diverse conferences. In addition,
the concepts of ANIMPOL were already presented by a
radio station and in the Austrian television.
Expected Impacts:
The impacts of the project activities can be considered
from three aspects. Assuming the technological
activities, the project is expected to have a significant
impact in solving local waste problems affecting the
entire EU. Production of biodiesel and polymers will
have to compete with alternative treatments such as
composting, anaerobic digestion and extraction of other
added-value products. The actual impact will thus depend
on the relative investment required and the economic
value of the products. The production of biodiesel is not
so different to existing systems using recovered waste
fats and oil. Hence, actual impact will depend on the
development of the polymeric materials, which in turn
depends on success in manufacturing PHA at a
reasonable, competitive price; this will be followed by
manufacturing PHA-based products and establishing
new markets where they may be distributed. Due to
uncertainties at several levels the overall impact on
European animal waste processing is not ascertained.
Nevertheless, the project is expected to generate
interesting results leading to various commercial
opportunities, possibly favouring especially the
development of niche markets.
Expected Results
The project should result in cost-efficient and sound
alternative products for the polymer industry based on an
integrated industrial process that will also produce
biodiesel of improved quality. A biotechnological
fermentation process will be developed to convert
saturated FAE to PHA, followed by an environmentally
safe and efficient downstream process resulting in
various forms of PHA. They will be characterized in
terms of their chemical, biological, physical and
mechanical properties. The use of these materials in
preparation of blends and composites with selected
conventional polymeric materials as well as inorganic
and/or organic fillers will result in novel environmentally
favourable benign biodegradable plastics. Results from
feasibility and marketing studies will suggest specific
uses for these products. http://www.animpol.tugraz.at
Fig. 1: Process Diagramm of the ANIMPOL project
Unsaturated
fraction
ANIMAL
Rendering Industry Slaughterhouses
Meat-and-Bone-Meal (MBM) Surplus Lipids
Degreasing
Degreased MBM
Hydrolyzed
MBM
Hydrolysis
BIOTECHNOLOGICAL
PRODUCTION OF
PHAs
Saturated
fraction
Crude Glycerol
Phase (CGP)
Carbon source for
microbial growth and/or
low molecular mass
PHAs
Margaric Acid: Precursor for
production of odd-numbered
PHA building blocks
Industry with Waste Problem to
be Solved
Industry Searching for
Alternative Industrial Process
Polymer Industry
Processed Waste Materials to be Utilized
for Biotechnological PHA Production
Waste Materials Causing
Disposal Problem for Industry
PRODUCTS
Lipids
Transesterification for Fatty Acid
Alkyl Ester Production
(Biodiesel Industry)
Fatty Acid
Alkyl Esters
(Biodiesel)
Carbon source
for PHA
accumulation
HIGH QUALITY
BIODIESEL
EXPLANATION:
Carbon and
Nitrogen
source for
microbial
growth
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New generation of the polymeric packaging materials susceptible to organic recycling
Marek Kowalczuk
Polish Academy of Sciences Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Zabrze
Acronym: MARGEN
http://margen.cmpw-pan.edu.pl/
Project is co-financed by Structural Funds as a part of
Operational Program INNOVATIVE ECONOMY for
the years of 2007-2013.
Proportional funds participation: EU Structural Funds
85%, National Public Funds 15%
Strategic aim of the project
The implementation of new technological solutions ena-
bling progressive replacement of the typical plastic
packages into packages degradable under industrial
composting conditions, safe for the human health and
environmental friendly according to Ecological State
Policy.
Research & Development aims of the project:
1. Technological process study on manufacture of bio-
degradable polymer materials suitable for preparation of
packages degradable under industrial composting condi-
tions.
2. Processing of the biodegradable films for the direct
use, as well as new generation of thermo-formed biode-
gradable packaging especially for food industry.
Additional aim of the project
Determine the processing properties of biodegradable
packaging materials and study of their resistance to ther-
mal degradation under processing conditions including:
• impact of the shearing force
• impact of high temperatures
• impact of manufacturing conditions on industrial
biodegradation process
• optimization of the processing parameters in
order to obtain the best application properties of the
product.
General information
Polymeric materials currently play a major role in eve-
ryday life. The advantages that plastics have compared
to “traditional materials” (performance, durability,
weight, environmental aspects) enable them to penetrate
society and industry to an even larger extent in the com-
ing years. Innovation in plastics will thus make a valua-
ble contribution to increasing economic growth and
quality of life in Europe. At present, there is also a tre-
mendous increase on the potential use of biodegradable
polymers in many different areas such as: medicine,
pharmacy, cosmetic industry, agrochemistry etc. This
novel and promising scientific area relates directly to
the most crucial present health and social problems, at
global as well as European level.
The MARGEN project makes it possible to utilize inter-
disciplinary investigations of biodegradable polymers to
work out the basis of modern polymeric technologies
for advanced packaging (bio)materials. The aim of the
project, carried out as the top priority of the Operating
Program Innovative Economy entitled »The Investiga-
tion and Development of Modem Technologies« is to
introduce new, safe and environmentally friendly tech-
nologies enabling a gradual replacement of packaging
from classical plastics by new generation packaging
susceptible to organic recycling. The project should
work out the foundations of a technological process for
the production of polymeric materials such as polymers,
blends and also nanocomposites, biodegradable under
industrial composting conditions, as well as the founda-
tions of technological processes for the production of
films from the new materials both for the direct use and
the production of new generation of rigid packaging for
food, using the thermoforming method. Development
studies are carried out in order to describe processing
properties of the new generation of biodegradable pack-
aging materials such as their resistance to degradation
under processing conditions, including shearing forces
and high temperatures in the processing machines, and
to investigate the influence of the conditions of pro-
cessing on the biodegradation under industrial compost-
ing conditions with the view of optimizing processing
parameters of the materials and obtaining the best func-
tional quality of the product.
The structure of the project comprises 2 institutes of the
Polish Academy of Sciences, 2 universities as well as 2
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recognized R&D centres investigating polymeric materi-
als. The project is coordinated by the Centre of Polymer
and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences in
Zabrze and is implemented with the main partners: Fac-
ulty of Chemistry of Warsaw University of Technology
and Institute for Engineering of Polymer Materials and
Dyes in Toruń as well as the remaining partners: the
Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies of the
Polish Academy of Sciences in Łódź, the Wrocław Uni-
versity of Technology - Faculty of Environmental Engi-
neering and the Polish Packaging Research & Develop-
ment Centre (COBRO) in Warsaw. The essential factor
of the scientific value of the project consists in the devel-
opment of created and protected in Poland (as well as
patented in the EU and in Poland) basis for the modifica-
tion of polyesters, including PLA, by preparing polymer-
ic compositions containing e.g. synthetic analogues of
aliphatic biopolyesters.
Synthetic PHA analogues can be obtained with the use of
synthetic gas from b-lactone monomers. Worked out in
the Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials of the
Polish Academy of Sciences in Zabrze the unique meth-
od of synthesis of aliphatic biopolyesters analogues on
the way of the anionic ring opening polymerization
(ROP) of b-lactone enables the formation of biodegrada-
ble polymeric materials with controlled microstructure,
molecular mass as well as chemical structure of the end
groups.
Production of biodegradable polymers should not be per-
ceived as a threat to traditional plastic market. The
changes are inevitable because of environmental protec-
tion requirements. These changes are an evolution rather
than a revolution. Traditional devices for classical plas-
tics processing can also be used for new biodegradable
polymer processing. Producers should expect and get
ready for these changes. Much more crucial problem is
utilization of compostable packaging material waste.
Polish municipal administration responsible for packag-
ing waste should become prepared for the task of organ-
izing local systems of organic waste collection, which
could be stored along with compostable packaging waste
made of biodegradable polymer materials.
Published Results of Project Implementation and Re-
cent Achievements
The list of recently published results of the project in-
cludes:
1. M.T. Musiol, J. Rydz, W. Sikorska, P.P. Rychter,
M.M. Kowalczuk, A preliminary study of the deg-
radation of selected commercial packaging materi-
als in comopst and aqueous environments Polish
Journal of Chemical Technology, 2011, 13, 55.
2. W. Sikorska, P. Dacko, B. Kaczmarczyk, H. Janec-
zek, M. Domański, K. Mańczyk, M. Kowalczuk,
Synthesis and physicochemical properties of new
(bio)degradable poly(ester-urethane)s containing
polylactide and poly[(1,4-butylene terephthalate)-co
-(1,4-butylene adipate)] segments, Polymer, 2011,
52, 4676.
3. M. Kawalec, M. Sobota, M. Scandola, M. Kow-
alczuk, P. Kurcok A convenient route to PHB mac-
romonomers via anionically controlled moderate-
temperature degradation of PHB. J. Polym. Sci.,
Part A: Polym. Chem. 2010, 48, 5490.
4. P. Rychter, M. Kawalec, M. Sobota, P. Kurcok, M.
Kowalczuk Study of Aliphatic-Aromatic Copolyes-
ter Degradation in Sandy Soil and Its Ecotoxicolog-
ical Impac, Biomacromolecules 2010, 11, 839.
5. M.M. Kowalczuk Research works on biodegradable
polymers Opakowanie – Special Edition, 2009, I,
22.
6. M.M. Kowalczuk Anionic ring-opening polymeri-
zation for syntheic analogues of aliphatic biopoly-
esters, Polymer Science, ser. A, 2009, 1, 51.
7. G. Adamus Molecular Level Structure of (R,S)-3-
Hydroxybutyrate/(R,S)-3-Hydroxy-4-
ethoxybutyrate Copolyesters with Dissimilar Archi-
tecture, Macromolecules 2009, 42, 4547.
Innovative cast film extrusion line for flat PLA films
with thermoforming of containers, established at Institute
for Engineering of Polymer Materials and Dyes (IMPIB
Torun), won a silver medal at the Technicon –
Innowacje, 6 Industrial Technology, Science and Innova-
tion Fair, Gdansk, Poland in 2010.
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Biodegradable fibrous products – BIOGRATEX
Izabella Krucinska
Technical University of Lodz
Department of Material and Commodity Sciences and Textile Metrology
90-924 Lodz, 166 Zeromskiego St,
[email protected], www.biogratex.pl
The aim of the project.
The aim of the presentation is to show the research goals
and the solutions achieved as a result of a three-year
realisation of a key project, which is entitled
‘Biodegradable fibrous products – BIOGRATEX’,
financed from the structural funds. The originator of the
project is the Polish Technological Platform of the
Textile Industry, which coordinator is the Technical
University of Łódź. Withing the Platform the project
consortium was set up by nine respected scientific-
research entities for the collaborative realisation of this
project.
The project concerns the development of a
manufacturing technology of the fibrous materials from
polymers subject to the biodegradation processes:
polylactide, polyesters and aliphatic copolyesters,
thermoplastic cellulose and modified polypropylene. The
main goal, as it is presented on the scheme (Fig. 1), is to
process particular types of polymers into the fibrous
products intended for applying in medicine, hygienic
products’ industry, agriculture and filtration.
Biodegradable fibrous products developed in a frame
of Biogratex
The subject of current presentation is showing of the
research on new assortments of fibrous products
obtained as a result of realisation of the project with the
use of commercially available fibre-grade polylactides.
The research on obtaining intermediate products, in the
form of nonwovens formed with the spun-bonded, melt-
blown and mechanical stiching methods, used for
production of fully biodegradable filtration half-masks,
together with giving their characteristics, will be
described. The second group of products described in the
presentation refers to the wound dressings. The results of
research on obtaining the particular components of those
products in the form of stitched nonwovens, foils and
foams in the function of technological parameters will be
presented. The direction of research on increasing the
hydrophilicity of surface by using different variants of
chemical and physico-chemical processing will also be
described.
Fig. 1. Diagram of the works performed during
realisation of the project.
Unique laboratories developde in aframe of Biogratex
As a result of realisation of the project two unique
laboratories were also created. One of them is the
specialist biodegradation laboratory (Fig. 2) created
in the Institute of Biopolymers and Chemical Fibres
in Łódź, which is one the the partners of the project.
The laboratory enables to perform research in the range
of assessment of the susceptibility of polymer materials
and of fibrous products to biological decay caused by
microorganisms that can be found in the natural
environment. The biodegradation research are performed
in the oxygen conditions with the use of innovative
methods, among others the respirometric tests, which
cover the measurement of constant amount of emitted
CO2 with the use of modern research-measurement
device MICRO-OXYMAX RESPIROMETER in
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accordance with the international and European norms.
The biodegradation laboratory have the accreditation
certificate NR AB 388.
Fig. 2. The photograph of biodegradation laboratory.
The second laboratory organised in the same Institute
gives the possibility of forming the with the spun-
bonded method in a laboratory scale (Fig. 3). During the
realisation of the project the laboratory technological
line for production of this type of nonwovens was
created.
In the presentation the assortment of cover and litter
products used for intensification of production
of vegetables manufactured with the use of the designed
technological line will be shown.
Fig. 3. The photograph of of spun-bonded
nonwovens' forming line.
Acknowledgement
The present work is performed within the framework
of the project titled „Biodegradable fibrous
products” (Biogratex) - POIG.01.03.01-00-007-/08-00.
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Biomass waste - a source of raw materials and energy
Matjaž Kunaver12, E. Jasiukaitytė12, N. Čuk2, Tine Seljak1, S. Rodman Opresnik3, T. Katrašnik3
1Center of Excellence PoliMaT, Ljubljana, Slovenia,
2National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
3University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Slovenia
Biomass such as straw, corn stover and wood and
wood wastes such as leftovers from timber cutting, bro-
ken furniture, sawdust, residues from paper mills etc.
contain appreciable quantities of cellulose, hemicellu-
loses and lignin. New applications and methods in con-
verting the biomass into useful industrial products were
developed by our research group and will be presented in
this contribution.
During liquefaction, lignocellulosic components
are depolymerised to low molecular mass compounds
with high reactivity, high hydroxyl group content and can
be used in many useful applications. We have used a
high energy ultrasound as an energy source to speed up
the liquefaction process in our research. The liquefied
biomass was used as a feedstock in the synthesis of poly-
esters, polyurethane foams and adhesives. The properties
of final products are similar and sometimes better than
the commercial ones. Rigid polyurethane foams have
thermal conductivity coefficient 0.0036 W/mK. For bet-
ter dimensional stability polyesters, produced from the
depolymerised (waste) PET were used in formulations.
The incorporation of the biomass components into the
polymeric compositions provides a certain degree of bio-
degradability.
A special attention was given to the utilization of
the liquefied lignocellulosic materials as a new energy
source with high heating value. Most of liquefied prod-
ucts have a heating value higher than 22 KJ/kg, that is in
the range of pure ethanol and higher than brown coal.
Initial tests have indicated that these products could also
be used as a motor fuel. Since the production of such
liquid fuel utilizes a huge variety of lignocellulosic
wastes and takes place under very mild reaction condi-
tions, an overall energy output is high.
Several possible applications in energy production
were identified and explored by our group.
One of the main practical values of our research is
the utilization of the liquefied lignocellulosic materials in
adhesives for the wood particle boards, veneer boards
and plywood boards. We have proven that such adhe-
sives emit 50% less formaldehyde and products have the
same or even better mechanical and physical properties.
The utilization of the renewable resources into the adhe-
sive formulation can reduce the costs up to 20%. Practi-
cal examples will be given with resulting formaldehyde
concentrations and mechanical and physical properties.
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Ecoshell : Bio-materials for structural use in car application
de LARMINAT Alain.
Citi-Technologies
Introdution
(2min) Presentation of Citi-technologies and the partners
of the project Ecoshell, project founded by the european
commission .
(2min) The CITI-zen
Presentation of The vehicule on which ecoshell is
based: The CITI-zen concept, a light electrical urban car
eco friendly.This vehicule aims to be a just mean for a
just need , simple and secure :
the weight sould be lower than 400Kg without
batteries,
it should be safe in frontal and side crash of the
European regulations R94 and R95 and evaluated on the
pedestrian choc.
In order to achieves these objectives, four main
subprojects are proposed :
Eco-body : A body made with flax fibers and
recycled Polypropilen, the density of this material is
close to 1.15.
Eco-shell : We will explain the containt of this
project further.
Eco-Train: An innovative plug and play dynamic
powertrain.
Eco-seat : Eco-frendly and super-light seats for the car.
Project Ecoshell : structure and objectives
(3min) Ecoshell founded by european commission
Ecoshell main objective is to evaluate whether it is
feasibility of implementing a body in white for the
CITI-zen super lightweight EV entirely made of bio
materials, allowing the car to achieve its extreme
objectives of mechanical performence and weight ?
Ecoshell propose to work simultaneously on :
1- The material: what is the best bio-material for this
application?
2- The structure: what kind of structure can be realised
with this material and fitting well to the car ?
3- The car: how may we design this car to implement
such body in white?
Formulated in terms of a global optimization problem,
the various issues encountered and resolved during the
vehicle design are organized around three topics which
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will be studied through »cost cylesc«three sub-projects :
«Manufacturing », «life cycle » and « end of life ».
Focus on the materials investiguated in Ecoshell :
(10min) Natural fibbers and resins used in Ecoshell
The pre-studies which we have realized indicate that it is
difficult to realize a BIW with a material for which the
young modulus is lower than 15 GPa (even if 20Gpa is
more ralistic) and the strengthis lower than 200Mpa.
Considering the rate of production we need for the car,
we concentrate on two processes of production: SMC
and RTM.
The materials we investigate are Bio-composite
made with Natural fibers and bio-resin. For the natural
fibers we are working with Flax and Hemp.
For the resine we are trying:
-A thermoplastique : the Polyamide.
-A classical thermoset :a Bio-epoxy.
- two new thermoset resins: a resin with tannin of
mimosa and a furanique resin.
We propose to describe here the work which has been
conducted so far, the difficulties we have met already at
this early stage, the first result and orientation we have
taken for the material topic.
Conclusion
(3min) A conclusion in 4 points:
1) The result we have today concerning the mechanical
properties .
2) The target of cost for the material
3) Main issues to be solve.
4) Ecoshell is an open project, all contribution and help
are welcome.
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Bio-composites based on forest derived materials and biodegradable polymers
Andrea Lazzeri, Patrizia Cinelli, Thanh Vu Phuong
Department of Industrial Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
University of Pisa, Via Diotisalvi, 2, 56126, Pisa, Italy
Introduction
The EC project FORBIOPLAST (Figure 1), grant agree-
ment no. 212239, started on the 1st July 2008. The re-
search activity in FORBIOPLAST is focused on the use
of by-products from wood as raw materials for the pro-
duction of composites with biodegradable and recycled
polymers as well as for the production of hard and soft
polyurethane foams by innovative sustainable synthetic
processes with reduced energy consumption.
Figure 1. FORBIOPLAST logo.
The materials produced in the project are devoted to
applications in automotive interior parts and in the pack-
aging and agriculture fields
The cooperation of research centers as the Latvian State
Institute of Wood Chemistry and Pisa University
(UNIPI, Italy) with industries Ritols Ltd (Latvia),
PEMU Plastic Processing Co. (Hungary) and FIAT Re-
search Centre (Italy) lead to the production of proto-
types of soft and hard foam. The Budapest University
for Technology and Economics (LPRT-Hungary) is
cooperating in introducing also wood fibres into these
foams. Figure 2 shows some examples of the prototypes
produced.
Figure 2. Examples of prototypes based on hard and soft
PU foams.
Partners Incerplast (INCP-Romania) and PEMU pro-
duced items for agriculture and packaging applications
based on the formulations selected by UNIPI and LPRT
based on biodegradable polymeric matrices and wood
fibres (Figure 3). Wood fibres were used both as raw
material than after being pre-treated by Fundacion
CARTIF (CARTIF-Spain) or modified by enzymes by
University of Almeria.
Figure 3. Materials based on biodegradable polymers
and wood for applications in packaging and agriculture.
The prototypes were tested by University of Bucharest
(Romania) and University of Almeria (Spain) for toxici-
ty, and for agriculture applications. RODAX IMPEX
S.R.L (Romania) and Norconserv A.S. (Norway) tested
properties relevant to packaging, and Organic Waste
System (Belgium) evaluated the degradability, the an-
aerobic digestion and the Life Cycle Assessment of the
most relevant products. The end users Neochimiki and
Cosmetic (COS-Greece) are performing the validation
of the packaging on their products (cosmetics, and
chemicals). Partner Wiedeman (Germany) has evaluated
the best market opportunities for the product portfolio.
Materials and Methods
Several materials derived by wood processing were
evaluated as components in composites based on biode-
gradable/ecocompatible polymeric matrices. Wood fi-
bres present on the market, such as La.So.Le. (type
200/150E) and Rettenmaier & Söhne (Germany) (type
EFC100) were considered for this investigation. Fibres
were used as received and after chemical and enzymatic
modification carried out by the Partners of FORBIO-
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PLAST. In order to improve water and moisture re-
sistance of wood-fibre composites, a known procedure is
based on the acetylation of wood fibres. The polymers
used in composites with wood fibres were polylactic acid
(PLA) granules from NatureWorks® (grade 2002D), a
mix of L,D isomer (95% L), with a nominal average mo-
lecular weight Mw=199590 Da, melting point of 140-152
°C, glass transition temperature of 56.7-57.9 °C, and den-
sity of 1.24 g/cm3 and a polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)
powder form BIOMER LoT13 with 60-70% crystallinity.
A poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate), Ecoflex®
from Basf Corp., with melting point of 110-120 °C, den-
sity of 1.25-1.27 g/cm3, and MW=131440 Da and poly-
ethylene glycol, PEG 1500 from Fluka, were used as
flexibilising agents. Composites were prepared using a
Thermo Scientific HAAKE MiniLab II Micro Com-
pounder with a sample volume of 7 cm3. The materials
were extruded at 190 °C, 50 rpm and cooled in air at
room temperature. Standard tensile specimens were pro-
duced using a Thermo Scientific HAAKE MiniJet II, at
190 °C, and 600 bar.
Results and Discussion
Figure 4 compares mechanical properties of PLA/Ecoflex
50/50 and PLA/Ecoflex 20/80 matrices with Rettenmaier
(R) fibre at loadings of 15% and 20% by weight and with
acetylated fibres (Ac1, Ac6) at 15% by weight.
Figure 4. Comparison of mechanical properties in com-
posites based on PLA/Ecoflex 50/50, and PLA/Ecoflex
20/80 as continuous matrix.
Acetylated fibres are expected to improve moisture and
water resistance, which is a typical weakness in wood
based composites, but loss in mechanical properties
could result. In the present case there is no loss in me-
chanical properties.
Composites with higher content of Ecoflex (80%) present
higher values of elongation at break than composites with
50% PLA and 50% Ecoflex, and, of course, lower values
for tensile strength and modulus. Thus the biodegradable
matrix can be tuned by the variation of PLA/Ecoflex ra-
tio in dependence of the technical parameters envisaged
by the final planned application.
Samples were prepared with PHB as continuous matrix,
polyethylene glycol and wood fibres. The main mechani-
cal properties are reported in Figure 5.
Figure 5. Comparison of mechanical properties in com-
posites based on PHB, PEG and wood fibres.
Significant improvements can be achieved in mechanical
properties of composites based on PHB when they are
prepared with wood fibres pre-treated with Aquacer 598
(Aq598), that is water based polypropylene emulsion,
and with Hordamer PE 02 that is an emulsion of polyeth-
ylene waxes. Figure 6 shows the improvement in values
of Young’s Modulus derived by the use of fibres treated
with the additives.
Figure 6. Young’s Modulus of composites based on PHB
and wood fibres treated with water based waxes.
Conclusions
Appropriately tuned composites (ratio PLA/Ecoflex, use
of modified fibres) can meet the technical requirements
defined by FORBIOPLAST end users for mechanical
properties of prototypes suitable for applications in pack-
aging and agriculture.
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REBIOFOAM PROJECT : Development of a flexible and energy-efficient pressurised microwave
heating process to produce 3D-shaped REnewable BIO-polymer FOAMs for a novel generation of
transportation packaging
Federica Mastroianni
Novamont S.p.A.
REBIOFOAM at a glance
REBIOFOAM is a Collaborative Project financially
supported by the European Union Seventh Framework
Programme for Research and Development (FP7). As
its title suggests, the Project targets the development of
a new 3D-shaped Renewable BIO-polymer FOAMs to
be applied as protective packaging material.
Bio-based plastics represent an emerging and highly
promising solution for protective transport packaging,
since they contribute to overcome environmental
concerns such as the depletion of non-renewable fossil
resources and, thanks to their biodegradable and
compostable nature, offer an innovative sustainable disposal
option. The novel foam could therefore be alternative to
expanded materials traditionally applied for cushion
transport packaging, but offering the additional buying
driver that is represented by the novel materials being
biodegradable and compostable.
The Project was launched on the 1st
February 2009 and will be running
for 48 months, until the 31st January
2013. It involves 10 Consortium
partners from 8 different countries and is coordinated by
Novamont, the Italian company world leader in the
production of starch-based biodegradable plastics.
S&T Objectives
The Project objective is to develop a flexible, energy-
efficient and environmentally-sustainable manufactur-
ing process enabling the production of biodegradable
foamed 3D-shaped packaging originating from ex-
pandable starchbased polymer pellets materials. In
this new process, expansion of the pellets is driven by
microwave technology and exploits the inner water con-
tent of the material itself to generate vapour.
In particular the focus is on:
the development of a proper formulation of base
materials as well as of an appropriate extrusion
process accordingly;
the evaluation of the effects of microwave fields
thus enabling an efficient design of the micro-
wave oven;
the comparison of dielectric properties of different
mould materials as well as the selection the most
appropriate material for mould coating;
the development of an efficient microwave
moulding system, as well as the development of
an automated pilot plant prototype demonstrat-
ing viability of technologies at a larger semi-
industrial scale that will be used to produce a vari-
ety of foam packaging product prototypes for dif-
ferent applications.
Since the 1st February 2011, the Project entered its third
year. While its main focus so far has been on developing
the enabling material and processing technologies, the
Project has now entered a second phase, aimed at demon-
strating applicability of the developed material and pro-
cesses through the manufacture of protective packaging
demonstrators on the one side, as well as through the
construction of a pilot foaming process on the other side.
The Project partners
REBIOFOAM Project
involves 10 Consortium
partners from 8 different
countries.
Research and Technological
Development is carried out
in its major part by a core group of Research and
Knowledge Intensive industrial partners (Novamont,
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C-Tech Innovation and FEN) in cooperation with a
limited group of excellent Research Centres
(Fraunhofer Institut and Czech Technical University).
Chemtex Italia has been appointed to define the
conceptual design and the high-level production
requirements and specifications guiding the
manufacturing process and to integrate the key
manufacturing steps developed by the other partners into
an automated pilot process line that should demonstrate
viability of the proposed technologies on a semi-
industrial scale. Two packaging producing companies
(Complas Pack and Recticel) belonging to the targeted
transport packaging sector will assess the overall
integrated manufacturing process and the novel bio-
based packaging materials, while ITENE is responsible
of assessing the functionality of the novel bio-based
packaging materials as a major Research Centre for
Packaging, Transport and Logistics. Finally, a Large
Player (Electrolux) has been included in the Consortium
with the role of final packaging user/validator with
respect to the pilot Consumer Markets of household
appliances and consumer electronics.
Get in touch!
To learn more, visit us at www.rebiofoam.eu and
subscribe our Project newsletter (www.rebiofoam.eu/
newsletter).
The REBIOFOAM project has received funding from the
European Union Seventh Framework Programme
(FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement No. 214425
(NMP3-SE-2009-214425).
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BioAgrotex: Development of new agrotextiles from renewable resources and with a tailored biodeg-
radability Stijn Monsaert, Luc Ruys
Centexbel, Technologiepark 7, B-9052 Zwijnaarde, www.centexbel.eu
Increasing oil prices, a growing threat of oil shortage,
Kyoto agreements on greenhouse gases, environmental
effects and climate changes are all elements that contrib-
ute to the concern for the future of our oil-based econo-
my. Not only the research for biofuels, but also for bio-
based polymers and a more extensive use of the natural
resources by upgrading the value of natural fibres and
side products will be needed to cope with these problems.
Techno-economic studies predict an important growth for
the bio-based polymer industry in the coming decennia.
This will only be possible if new high end applications
are developed. Textiles and especially agrotextiles offer a
very attractive end market. Volumes in this market area
are high and fast growing.
At present, products are mainly based on polyolefins (>
200 ktonnes annually in Europe). Bio-based polymers in
combination with natural fibres and side products can
offer a good alternative if biodegradation can be mod-
elled and adapted according to the specific end applica-
tions. Intrinsic positive properties of the bio-based poly-
mers such as low flammability and high light fastness
can boost technological advantages, leading to major
economic and technological benefits in industrial imple-
mentation.
This project envisages the research and development of
100% renewable agrotextiles via combination of natural
fibres, bio-based fibres and bio-based functional addi-
tives through the following phases:
new and optimised extrusion processes into fibre,
yarn, monofilament or tape,
processing into knitted, woven or nonwoven struc-
tures and new finishing process,
tailor-made mechanical and functional characteris-
tics,
a controlled and predictable biodegradation adapted
to the application envisaged, and
a proven performance for a number of test/demonstration
cases.
This type of project can take a large share of the agrotex-
tile market (up to 50%) by creation of alternatives for oil-
based products and new applications.
www.bioagrotex.eu
Bioagrotex is a EU co-funded project, Grant agreement
no.: 213501 within Seventh Framework Programme.
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EPNOE (European Polysaccharide Network of Excellence); presentation of the project
Patrick Navard
Armines – Mines ParisTech - CNRS
What is EPNOE?
EPNOE (European Polysaccharide Network of Excel-
lence) is a network comprising 16 research centres in 9
countries focusing on research in polysaccharide science
and 27 companies from SMEs to multinational corpora-
tions. It is a common Research, Education and Commu-
nication organisation meant for promoting polysaccha-
ride research in Europe and worldwide, and to offer a
collaborative R&D platform to industry.
Main missions
The main missions of EPNOE are to provide its mem-
bers with an area of mutual trust and collaboration, to be
a platform for bringing together companies and research
centres, to perform the best world-class multidiscipli-
nary research, to disseminate knowledge at all levels of
society, and to be a reliable and innovative research
network on polysaccharide science.
Structure
EPNOE is organized in the form of a legal non profit
association called EPNOE Association, comprising the
sixteen academic and research institutions (regular
members) and the industrial members (associate mem-
bers) brought together into the EPNOE Business and
Industry Club (BIC). EPNOE is organised with four
bodies: the General Assembly, the Governing Board,
the Executive Board and the Finance Supervisory
Board.
Activities
EPNOE’s activities are divided into four themes: Man-
agement, Education, Research and Business and Indus-
try Club. Antother satellite activity is the organisation of
the EPNOE International Polysaccharide Conference
that is held every two year. The forthcoming activities
will be the publication of the EPNOE book, the organi-
sation of an industrial conference every two year, and
the building of a new European project.
Achievements
Overview of EPNOE’s main successful activities:
In terms of Research, more than 40 common papers
are published per year, more than 40 common research
projects are on-going, about 20 PhD are shared by two
EPNOE institutions.
In terms of Education, EPNOE participates in a
European university programme (“Renewable Biore-
sources and Biorefineries” and also set up a European
Commission-sponsored education network on Sustaina-
ble Utilization of Renewable Resources (three series of
courses :2009, 2010, 2011)
In terms of Dissemination, EPNOE published its
Research and Education Road Map 2010-2020, created
a set of e-learning lectures available on the website, and
published three market studies.
EPNOE also successfully organised the EPNOE Inter-
national Polysaccharide Conference (EPNOE 2009 in
Åbo/Turku, EPNOE 2011 in Wageningen). The next
one, EPNOE 2013, will be held in Nice.
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MarineClean - Marine debris removal and preventing further litter entry
Janez Navodnik**,Vladimir Pogač*
**Tehnology centre PoliEko, *Turna d.o.o.,
[email protected]; [email protected]
Introduction
MarineClean project is financed under the CIP Eco-
Innovation 2010 programme. Duration of the project is 3
years, starting in November 2011. Project coordinator is
private SME company from Slovenia, TURNA. Project
consortium consists of eight partners. Project will link
together institutions from three countries with access to
sea, Slovenia, Croatia and Lithuania. Slovenian partners
are besides Turna also Drava water management compa-
ny Ptuj, National Institute for Biology – Marine Biology
Station Piran and Technology centre PoliEko. Partners
from Croatia are SME company EcoCortec and Faculty
for Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture
from University of Zagreb. Partners from Lithuania are
Klaipeda Science and Technology Park, and Air Pollu-
tion research centre from Klaipeda University.
Objectives
Marine littering is one of the major ecological threats.
The amount of plastic floating in oceans is increasing; in
some parts of oceans there are already 6 times more
small plastic parts than plankton. Plastic floating in sea is
great absorber of heavy metals, pesticides, PCBs and
other toxins that accumulate in marine animals and con-
sequently in humans. Toxins are good for some algae,
which are so widespread in some areas that other organ-
isms lack of oxygen. Bio-oxo or UV-degradable plastic
is not a solution, because sea water inhibits degradation
and plastics is stable, maybe up to 100 years.
Share of ship littering is variable throughout the World,
ranging from 35 to 85%. The remaining shares come
from rivers, wind and lost fishing nets. A large percent
of marine litter is from food packaging used on shore
and delivered into the sea with wind and rivers. Another
major contribution to marine littering are so called ghost
nets – lost fishing nets floating on the surface or near the
sea surface.
Other problems are spillages of different oils that cannot
be solved by expensive cleaning with pumping and fil-
tering in tankers or degradation with microorganisms.
Marine litter is very dangerous to different sea animals:
birds, turtles, fishes and sea mammals, because of possi-
ble entanglement and swallowing.
Marine litter is present in all seas, not only in the great-
est. The most known are North and South Pacific Gar-
bage Patches, but in recent years it was proven that simi-
lar garbage patches exist also in North and South Atlan-
tic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Baltic Sea etc.
Proposed solution and summary of work programme
Project MarineClean will deal with preventing natural
environment of Adriatic Sea that is a part of Mediterra-
nean Sea, and of Baltic Sea. Project MarineClean con-
sists of seven work packages in four areas of acting.
The first area covers collection of marine litter. The se-
cond one deals with edible and biodegradable packaging
materials that will help to reduce the quantities of in wa-
How long does it take for marine litter to decompose?
(years)
glass bottle 1 million
fishing line 600
plastic bottle 450
aluminum can 80-200
rubber boot 50-80
plastic cup 50
tin can 50
nylon fabric 30-40
plastic bag 10-20
cigarette filter 1-5
woolen clothes 1-5 y
plywood 1-3
milk carton 3 months
apple core 2 months
newspaper 6 weeks
orange peel 2-5 weeks
paper towel 2-4 weeks
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ter (sea/lake/river) entered plastics, because it is edible
for humans and water animals and thus biodegradable.
The third area is development of fishing gear that can be
easily traced, collected and recycled when lost. The
fourth area of the proposed project is networking of pro-
posed products users and lobbying at national and EU
decision-makers to promote and enlarge eco-friendly
products usage. A solution for collecting marine litter
(WP2) consists of a net strip that floats on the water sur-
face; minor part is above and the rest is below the sur-
face. The strip is made in one piece on roll by co-
extrusion of recycled plastic reinforced with Kevlar. The
upper part of the strip has a hollow tube-like place that is
filled with air to get the variable high of the strip over the
water, depending on waste and wind. The lower part of
the strip under the water has a coextruded magnetic pro-
file, which is heavy, prevents catching of fishes and sea
mammals sensitive to magnetic field and make the col-
lecting easier. Two mentioned strips are joined on one
end where the barrel is placed to gather marine litter (oil
and/or solid parts-beyond the state of the art). The other
ends of the strips are tight to a small ships/boats or one of
two strips can even be in a hands of a person walking
along the coast.
The second area of action in MarineClean project will be
promoting and organizing production of most of all types
of edible and biodegradable packaging for use on ships
(WP3). Edible packaging, can be eaten by humans or,
when entering into a sea/lake/river, by water animals and
is biodegrade in sea water.
The third area of action in this project is development
and production of fishing equipment with integrated
magnetic imparts, that will help to reduce by-catch of sea
turtles, mammals and some sharks (WP4).
The fourth area of action in our project deals with lobby-
ing on national and EU level for stricter legislation about
garbage disposal from ships into the sea, and with net-
working of all interested parties in Europe in the field of
protecting the marine environment and cleaning of the
sea surface (WP5).
Major outputs and results
Edible and biodegradable barrier packaging as a pro-
posed solution for ships, made of multilayer barrier films
with water soluble surface will be the main innovative
output. This packaging can be removed with washing or
during the cooking or eaten. Available materials will be
tested on their sensory and biodegradation properties in
marine environment.
A very cheap net strip for collecting marine litter that
floats on the water surface can quickly and cheap collect
plastic or oil on big area is other innovative output, usa-
ble in many cases.
The fishing net made of bio based polymer and with US
actuator and a magnetic strip above the bottom edge is
the innovative output of WP4 and will help to reduce
portion of ghost nets floating in sea. It leads to a refor-
mation of a net into a ball shape, it is easy to trace and
collect using detectors, removed and recycled or can
slowly sink to the bottom of the sea where it can be over-
grown by algae or corals. Magnetic insert in fishing net
also prevents undesired trapping of sea animals sensible
to magnetic field.
Networking of end-users of marine litter cleaning equip-
ment, edible packaging and of fishing equipment and
lobbying on national and EU level for intensified surveil-
lance in the return of ship waste and for grants and/or
discounts with edible and biodegradable packaging will
be formed.
Proposed solutions will have positive effect on marine
ecology. Indicators will be the decreasing of marine litter
in tested areas, the number of cleaning groups/areas, the
share of edible packaging on tested ships, and the num-
ber of law changing proposals.
Further information is available at Mrs. Urška Kropf,
PhD, project manager at PoliEko:
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Utilization of biomass for the preparation of environmentally friendly polymer materials
Andrzej Okruszek
Institute of Technical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences,
Technical University of Lodz. Lodz, Poland
The aim of the project
The aim of the project is utilization of various kinds of
plant biomass and textile waste materials by their trans-
formation with biotechnological methods, involving ei-
ther enzymatic or microbial processes, into fibrous poly-
mer materials. The intermediate products in those trans-
formations are: cellulose nanofibres, tactical polylactide
and aliphatic-aromatic co-polyesters, which all are
known to be important raw-materials for the production
of biodegradable fibrous materials as well as other kinds
of biodegradable polymer composites.
Cellulose nanofibres
For the preparation of cellulose nanofibres, a cellulose-
rich plant biomass is being utilized, including grass and
straw of various cereals as well as waste fibres from tex-
tile industry (cotton, linen). The biomass is first pretreat-
ed with physical and/or chemical methods including boil-
ing, steam-explosion or treatment with certain chemicals.
Multienzyme complex obtained from Aspergillus niger
mould is utilized as the main enzymatic tool. The fibrous
materials and composites prepared within this project on
the basis of abovementioned intermediates will be further
utilized for obtaining new functional textiles and
nonwovens with potential sanitary or technical applica-
tions, such as sweat-absorbing textile inserts, sanitary
textiles, filtration materials, geotextiles and agrotextiles.
Within this project, the processes of ageing and con-
trolled biodegradation of prepared materials will be stud-
ied, as well as the conditions of their recycling and possi-
ble use of degradation products in agriculture.
Tactical polylactide
The synthesis of tactical polylactide is being performed
by chemical polymerization of L,L-lactide, prepared
from L-lactic acid. The latter is obtained by stereoselec-
tive fermentation of plant biomass, after its sacchariza-
tion by appropriate enzymes (Aspergillus niger prepara-
tions). The microorganisms (bacteria), used for the fer-
mentation, were selected by classical microbiology meth-
ods from the environment. In this case patatoes, cereal
grains or beet pulp are employed as starting biomass. The
tactical polylactide will be further utilized for fiber for-
mation and thermoforming.
Co-polyesters
The third path involves utilization of various oil-plant
biomass, which on sequential treatment with lipase prep-
arations obtained from Mucor circinelloides and Mucor
racemosus moulds (structurization, hydrolysis) and ap-
propriate chemical reactions (cycloaddition, hydrogena-
tion) are transformed into oligodiols/polyols with glycer-
ide backbone. These will be co-polymerized with appro-
priate reagents in order to produce new biodegradable
aliphatic-aromatic co-polyesters. The polyesters will be
utilized as fillers for preparation of various fibrous poly-
mers and composites.
Concluding remarks
The project is being realized by nine research groups
from Poland belonging to four different institutions, with
the Technical University of Lodz being the leader.
The methods of preparation of polymer fibrous materials
and composites elaborated within this project will posi-
tively influence development of science-based economy
and will increase the innovativeness of connected areas
of research and production. The main recipients of elabo-
rated methods will be producers of fibers and nonwovens
from thermoplastic materials, sanitary textiles, filtration
materials, geotextiles, agrotextiles and packing materials.
Acknowledgment
The Project (POIG 01.01.02-10-123/09) is partially
financed by the European Union within the European
Regional Development Fund.
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Development of Biobased/Biodegradable/Compostable Nanocomposite Mulching Films
Erhan Pişkin1, Yeşim Ekinci2, Hülya Yavuz Ersan1, Sinan Eğri1,3,
Gökhan Tezcan1, Koroush Salami1, Özlem Eğri1,4, Zakir Rzaev4 ,
Sevda Ismailova1, Farzaneh Moghtader4 1Hacettepe University, Chem.Eng.Dept., and Bioeng.Div., and
Bioeng. R&D Center-Biyomedtek, Ankara, Turkey 2Yeditepe University, Food Eng.Dept., İstanbul, Turkey
3Gaziosmanpaşa University, Bioeng.Dept., Tokat, Turkey 4Hacettepe University, Nanomed.Nanotechnol.Div.. Ankara, Turkey
Industrial product made of fossil fuel based synthetic raw
materials have been produced in very large quanties and
consumed since 1970s which is also the reality today.
Fuels (petroleum, natural gas and coal) are considered as
non-renewable resources. The annual consumption of
fossil fuel feedstock is about about 7.3 Gton, and we are
consuming about 93% of it for energy production. Only
7% is used for polymer and raw chemicals production.
Fossil fuel feedstock will finish as a result of this very
high consumption rates. More than 30% of the polymers
produced are consumed for packaging (including agro-
chemical uses such as mulching films) which has a rela-
tively short life (< 1 year). This means that packaging
waste accumulating in the environment quite rapidly
which may cause very undesirable adverse effects that
we have already facing today. We have to be more en-
vironmentally conscious. Even only because of these
two main concerns one can easily prospect that naturally
derived resources (also called biobased resources) will be
again a major contributor to the production of industrial
and commodity products. There is a great potential mar-
ket of biobased polymers. They are mainly made of re-
newable resources of agricultural origin desirably agroin-
dustrial waste not interfering with food chain. After use
they are disposed of as organic waste, and return to the
earth through processes of biodegradation and compost-
ing -completing a virtuous circle- A very environmen-
tally friendly approach. Here, in this short presentation,
one important biopolymer, i.e. starch, and important bio-
degradable polyester, polylactic acid and its clay nano-
composites are briefly overviewed.
Starch: Polysaccharides, such as starch, cellulose and
chitin are in one of the most important categories of
biobased polymers, as biopolymers. Corn is the primary
source of starch, although considerable amounts of starch
are produced from potato, wheat and rice starch in
Europe. In order to produce thermally processable starch
(thermoplastic starch, TS) several modifications have
been proposed in which the starch -after milling of the
raw material- is destructured and chemically modified
(converting hydroxyl groups to aldehyde groups) to
obtain amorphous (noncrystalline-more stable in aqueous
media, since more hydrophobic). In order to further
improve its processabilities and also final product
properties (mechanical strength, gas permeability, etc.)
TS is compounded with plasticizers (e.g., glycerol) and/
or complexion agents (e.g., vegetable oils). Alternatively,
several more hydrophobic biodegradable and
nondegradable polymers are used to prepare blends that
are more suitable for injection molding and blowing
films. Compatibility is an important issue when these
types of blends and laminates are considered, and
therefore compatibilizers and other additives should be
used as processing aids. The price of starch especially in
US is competitive with petroleum therefore it has been
processed into several compostable products.
Polylactic acid (PLA): Lactic acid is the most widely
occurring carboxylic acid, having a prime position due to
its versatile applications in food, pharmaceutical, textile,
leather, and other chemical industries. Lactic acid is
widely used in the food related applications but recently
it has gained many other industrial applications like
biodegradable plastic production. Lactic acid, is the
monomer for PLA, may easily be produced by
fermentation of carbohydrate feedstock. There is a huge
list of studies for the production of lactic acid from
different resources nicely reviewed recently.
Lactic acid is an a-hydroxy acids, and as being
bifunctional molecules, it can be homopolymerized into
linear polymers by heating with or without using a
catalyst by direct polycondensation reactions (or in other
terms by intermolecular esterification).This technique
produces only low-molecular-weight polymers
(oligomers). In order to produce polyesters with higher
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molecular weights that lactic acid is first converted to the
respective cyclic dimer, i.e. “lactides”. These processes
are usually based on the transformation of lactic acids
into a low molecular weight polymer by heating or also
using a catalyst (e.g., antimony trioxide, zinc chloride),
and then heating the polymer under reduced pressure to
generate the desired cyclic ester. Then, ring-opening
polymerization of cyclic dimers using various catalysts
(e.g., stannous octoate) are being conducted, usually in
bulk or in reactive extruders which is the main approach
for the synthesis of polyesters with high molecular
weights.
Polymer nanocomposites are prepared by dispersion
of nano-sized materials (nanofillers) into the polymer
matrix usually less than 10%. Layered clays and silicates
(e.g., montmorillonite, hectorite, saponite) are the most
widely used nanofillers. Incorporation of nanofillers, due
to huge interfacial surface area improves polymer
properties (such as mechanical properties; thermal
stability; flame retardance; barrier properties, etc.)
drastically. Dispersion of the layered silicates into dis-
crete monolayers is hindered by the intrinsic incompati-
bility of hydrophilic layered silicates and hydrophobic
(usually) polymer matrices. Therefore they have to be
“intercalated” or even converted into a better form,
“exfoliated” using several organo-modifier, usually or-
ganic onium ions which are then dispersed in the poly-
mer matrix (both in solution or in melt) to prepare the
nanocomposites.
PLA is a very promising material, as also mentioned
above, since it is commercially available with reasonable
prices, exhibit good thermal plasticity and mechanical
properties suitable for many applications including
packaging films. However, some of its properties, like
flexural properties, gas permeability and heat distortion
temperature, are too low for widespread applications.
Therefore, PLA have been one of the most widely studies
bio-based polymers to prepare nanocomposites in order
to improve its properties. Several parameters affect
nanocomposite properties, including both organoclay
type, size/shape and clay content, and also
organomodifier type and content which will be discussed
in this presentation.
References
Bordes P, Pollet E, Avérous L, Nano-biocomposites:
Biodegradable polyester/nanoclay systems. Prog in Polym Sci
34: 125-155, 2009.
Garlotta D. A literature review of poly(lactic acid). J Polym
Environ, 9:63-84, 2001.
John RP, Anisha GS, Nampoothiri KM, Pandey A, Direct lactic
acid fermentation: Focus on simultaneous saccharification and
lactic acid production, Biotechnol Adv 27:145-152,2009.
Lima LT, Aurasb R, Rubino M, Processing technologies for
poly(lactic acid), Prog Polym Sci 33:820-852, 2008.
Yu J, Peter R, Chang PR, Ma X, The preparation and properties
of dialdehyde starch and thermoplasticdialdehyde starch,
Carbohydrate Polym 79:296-300, 2010
Zobel H F (1998). Molecules to granules: A comprehensive
starch review. Starch-Starke, 40:44-50, 1998.
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Improvement of green labels for packaging and mulching plastics based on application
of innovative (eco)toxicological tests for the safe recovery of material wastes (ECOPACK)
Ribera Daniel
Bio-Tox
[email protected] / [email protected]
Objectives
The main markets addressed by the proposed project are
the biodegradable/compostable food contact materials
(FCMs), food-soiled packaging, other man-made
products in contact with food (paper napkins, bio-plastic
forks…) and plastics for agriculture.
Today, because of difficulties in the selective sorting at
source (soiled materials, films...) and in collection of
this waste, an important part is, at the end of the life
cycle, landfilled or incinerated.
Moreover, despite the EU standard EN 13432 for
biodegradable packaging recoverable through
composting and despite the French NF U52-001
standard on mulching films, industrial composters are
still reluctant to consider food-soiled biodegradable
packaging as feedstock for composting, for fear of lack
of safety and quality.
Indeed, packaging are tools for communication and
large quantities of pigments, coatings and inks are used.
Most recently active packaging have been developed to
extend the food shelf-life with chemical agents: organic
acids, antimicrobials, fungicides, ethanol or silver ions.
Even though the main raw constituent is biodegradable,
the impact on the environment of these additional
constituents could be questioned.
The proposed project will explore some eco-innovative
practices using a new testing scheme in order to fully
assess the safety of FCMs for valorization as compost.
This innovative approach to the design and labeling of
biodegradable/compostable products will go further than
the existing scheme EN 13432 or to French NF U52-001
standard by integratingnew dimensions related to the
direct impact on biodiversity and human health.
Proposed solution and work programme
In the first WP, an exhaustive battery of tests is being
run on 3 model materials (paper, soiled cardboard,
bioplastic).
The environmental risks and human safety will be
assesed by mean of chemical analyses (searches for
environmental contaminants and substances issued from
plastics), ecotoxicological test and toxicological assays.
This will allow us the define the level of contamination
and the impacts on several species representative of the
ecosystem (vegetal, worms, algae, bacteria, human
cells) and on different toxicological end-points such as
acute, sub-acute, chronic toxicity, genotoxicity,
metabolism biomarkers and endocrine disrupting
responses.
The bioassays include current standardized European
tests completed with innovative biomarkers that have
been developed and technically demonstrated with
success. The tests required by the EU Standard EN
13432 and the French standard NF U52-001 are applied
in parallel on the same samples for comparisons.
In the second WP, the testing scheme for the new
Ecopack label will be defined by selecting the most
relevant and efficient tests (based on a cost/benefit
analysis) in terms of risk assessment.
In the third WP, the battery will be validated by testing
several materials.
Major outputs and results
The main result of the project will be the “Ecopack
label/certification” that will become a major tool for
packaging manufacturers and food brands to
communicate on a green image and therefore an
additional purchasing influencer for organic-minded
consumers.
It will not replace the reuse/recycling initiatives nor the
EN 13432 standard but will complete the possibilities of
landfill diversion by promoting food packaging residues
and other FCMs soiled by food as valuable feedstock for
composting
Call for interest
We are looking for manufacturers willing to take part in
the project by providing us with material for the
validation phase.
The tests and analyses results will be available. Without
any prior authorization, we commit ourselves not to
communicate any information about the origin of these
materials.
The participation in such an European program will
reinforce the environmental liability of the sponsors.
The results collected on the material will put it in a pole
position for the Ecopack certification.
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Partners & responsibilities
Bio-Tox (France, www.bio-tox.fr), Coordinator. Acute
and chronic ecotoxicity tests (algae, fish, daphnids,
bacteria, plants, worms), innovatives tests on earthworms
(biomarkers and genotoxicity), searhes for endocrine
disrupting substances.
Institut Pasteur de Lille (France, www.pasteur-lille.fr).
Innovatives tests for genotoxicity.
Celabor (Belgium, www.celabor.be). EN 13432
compliance (biodegradability, desintegration, plant
growth) and heavy metals analyses.
ITENE (Spain, www.itene.com). Analyses on specific
packaging and process Contaminants (PAH, Dioxines,
PCBs, BPA, Phthlates, carbamates...)
PENA Environnement (France, www.pena.fr). Defini-
tion of composting processes and industrial scale appli-
cation
Organic Products Cluster (Greece, www.biocluster.gr).
Dissemination of the Ecopack certification.
Steering and User committees
The steering committee is the decision-making body. It
validates each result and go-no-go decision. In
complement of the 6 partners, the steering committee is
composed of the 6 partners plus representative bodies
from Danone, Novamont and Papeterie de Raon.
User commitees will be constituted. They will act as an
advisory group for both the execution of the Project and
its valorization.
Funding
The Ecopack is supported by the Executive Agency for
Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI) of the European
Commission within the Ecoinnovation -
Competitiveness and Innovation Programme
Contact information :
Daniel Ribera – Julie Taberly
Bio-Tox, 18 impasse de la Fauvette, F-33400 Talence,
France. Tél. +33 557 990 169.
E-mail : [email protected] , [email protected]
The Ecopack label website (under construction) :
www.ecopack-label.eu
E-mail : [email protected]
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SURFUNCELL - Surface functionalization of cellulose matrices using cellulose embedded nano-
particles
Volker Ribitsch, University Graz, Austria
Institute of Chemistry, Heinrichstrassse 28, A – 8010 Graz
Introduction
The SURFUNCELL project is a large scale integrating
project under EC FP7 with a duration of four years and a
total budget of eight million euros. Since its start in De-
cember 2008, six industrial and seven academic partners
have been developing new ways of modifying the surfac-
es of cellulosic materials using polysaccharide deriva-
tives and a wide range of functional nano-particles. The
project is coordinated by Volker Ribitsch of the Univer-
sity of Graz, Austria. Among the partners several mem-
bers of the European Polysaccharide Network of Excel-
lence EPNOE are active beneficiaries. The CEMEF
MINES ParisTech-CNRS (FRA), and the Universities of
Hull (GB), of Jena (BRD), of Maribor (SLO), of Utrecht
(NL) have contributed their knowledge to the successful
development of the project. Industrial partners are: CHT
(GER); Mondi AG (AUT), Innovia (GB), Litija (SLO),
NanoMeps (FRA), Norit-X flow (NED), TITK (GER).
Scientific and technological targets
The aim of the work is the creation of functional surface
modifications using polysaccharides and nano-particles,
leading to four different demonstrators in the fields of
pulp and paper, cellulosic yarns, cellulose films and filter
membranes. The project is based on the concept of sur-
face modification of the material instead of using nano-
particles as fillers in the bulk. This approach, implicating
several advantages, is depicted in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Schematic representation of functional modifi-
cation of nanoparticle surface
The projects outcome is a technology platform based on
structured cellulose material surfaces compounded using
different nano-particle moieties. This approach does not
negatively influence the mechanical properties and be-
haviour of the matrix material. The functionalities are
introduced exactly at the place of need, at the com-
pound’s surface. The compounding is not performed by
covalent binding and does not require heavy chemistry.
The surface modifications are achieved via the adsorp-
tion and fixation of functionalized and stabilized nano-
particles at the ready-made material, without changing
industrial production processes to a large extent.
The project's main achievements are:
4 different demonstrators close to industrial products
New high value materials based on the renewable
resource cellulose, its derivatives, and state-of-the-art
nanotechnology
Technology transfer from science to industrial prod-
ucts in a cooperative process
Advanced understanding of interactions between sol-
id cellulose surfaces and metallic, metal oxide and
polymeric nano-particles
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BIOCHEM – Eco-IP Partnership for Driving Innovation in the Sector of Bio-based Products
Maria Grazia Zucchini
ASTER
BIOCHEM is an innovation programme funded by the
European Commission and supported by SusChem - the
European technology platform for sustainable chemistry
– to drive competitiveness within Europe’s chemical
industry. Part of SusChem’s remit is to promote strategic
innovations and support innovation-led SMEs.
BIOCHEM aims at supporting companies entering the
rapidly emerging market for bio-based products, taking
advantage of the joint effort of 17 innovation
organisations across eight European countries,
coordinated by Chemistry Innovation (UK).
The BIOCHEM consortium partners include innovation
agencies, national chemical organisations, venture and
public funding bodies and programme consultancies.
Over a three-year timeline, their mission is to develop a
technical and business support toolbox to help at least
250 companies innovate in the bio-based products
market.
There are several strong drivers for this project,
particularly climate change - with a global target for an
80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 -
and energy security. Bio-based non-food products
typically come from plants, trees and bio waste with
typical end products in the bio-plastics, bio-lubricants,
bio-surfactant, enzyme and pharmaceutical sectors.
The EU currently accounts for about 30% of the global
58 billions Euros bio-based products market – which is
expected to more than treble by 2020.
Specific aims of BIOCHEM are to stimulate demand-
driven, bio-based business in the chemical sector to
improve the innovation capacity of bio-based chemistry
start-ups and SMEs and to complete a comprehensive
assessment of the bio-based products market.
Using the partner network, BIOCHEM has developed a
“toolbox” of methodologies and processes in a business
support service package that includes innovation
management, life cycle methodology, business planning
and access to public and private funding.
Through an “accelerator” process it will assist SMEs to
understand their potential to enter the bio-based market
and to identify their barriers to innovation. Process
examples include identification of technology providers
and sources of funding, providing access to test facilities.
During its first year of operation, BIOCHEM has laid the
groundwork for acceleration of industrial biotechnology
innovation in Europe, introducing the project to at least
100 European operators.
So far, BIOCHEM has completed a comprehensive
assessment of the needs, the barriers and the
opportunities specific to the European bio-based products
market. A partnering platform has also been developed in
order to help SMEs share their ideas and identify
business and research partners ready to follow them in
their new activities.
Moreover a breakthrough for bio-based business ideas
will be provided through the organisation of four
"Accelerator Fora" for bio-based SMEs, during which
entrepreneurs and researchers considering to set up a
business in the bio-based sector will have the opportunity
to promote their project and meet face-to-face with
European biotech investors, venture capitalists and other
industry and research players.
The first Forum will take place on 5-7 October 2011 in
Milan at the LIFE-MED 2011 fair premises. Next fora
will be held in 2012 in Frankfurt, Palma di Maiorca and
in 2013 in London.
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