International competitiveness, linked to high energy prices, dependencies in raw materials, inflation and other hurdles hamper a fast transition of industries to a resource-efficient, emissions-neutral economy. TERRIFIC seeks to overcome these challenges by demonstrating a pathway to decarbonisation and circularity in packaging solutions.
The project proposes eight innovative flagship packaging solutions designed to decarbonise and promote circularity. These include bio-based and biodegradable films laminated on pulp or paper, as well as rigid and flexible thermoplastic biomaterials, aiming to achieve over 95% renewable resource content. Ultimately, TERRIFIC showcases a holistic approach to packaging development, aligning with broader sustainability goals and driving the transition in the European bioeconomy.
Objectives
TERRIFIC will demonstrate bio-based circular flagship solutions for packaging applications aimed at meeting high performance requirements, including improved mechanical and barrier properties, enhanced food safety and longer shelf-life, across the supply value chain, while improving circularity, end-of-life solutions and resource efficiency. Packaging solutions include bio-based and biodegradable films on paper and thermoplastic biomaterials (rigid and flexible).
Within TERRIFIC, Centexbel will lead the working group to develop a home compostable tea bag.
The TERRIFIC project aims to showcase bio-based, circular flagship solutions for advanced packaging applications, achieving superior performance while enhancing circularity and resource efficiency throughout the supply chain. To accomplish this, the project seeks to:
- Establish a groundbreaking first-of-a-kind multipurpose biorefinery to produce bio-based building blocks, demonstrating its applicability.
- Produce biopolyesters and biomaterials with over 95% renewable resource content and enhanced properties, including barrier and durability.
- Develop bio-based, recyclable, compostable, and high-performing flagship packaging products using traditional industrial technologies.
- Demonstrate the sustainability, circularity, and safety of the bio-based materials used in the flagship packaging products compared to existing benchmarks.
- Enhance circularity and resource efficiency by validating multiple end-of-life scenarios for the developed flagship packaging solutions.
- Evaluate and demonstrate the replicability of the TERRIFIC concept through a multi-actor approach, engaging all stakeholders in the value chain to exploit new business opportunities.
Impacts
Involving 19 partners from nine countries, including six SMEs, TERRIFIC is a multidisciplinary endeavour spanning the entire value chain. The project's expected impacts include:
- Enhancing product quality, reducing products spoilage, and promoting innovative and competitive solutions in comparison to existing alternatives.
- Improving mechanical and barrier properties, enhancing food safety and longer shelf life across the entire supply value chain, while additionally improving circularity and resource efficiency.
- Making use of unexploited byproducts and side streams, while additionally promoting sustainable circular practices and green transition.
- Enhancing packaging solutions for storage and transit, from factory to shelf.
- Lowering the climate impact of bioplastic by decreasing 40% of carbon dioxide equivalent along the entire value chain.
- Enhancing regional economic growth and business opportunities, thereby generating new job prospects.
- Developing intellectual property for innovative achievements (multipurpose flagship plant; innovative biomaterials).
- Promoting the inclusion of bio-based materials and packaging products in multiple market sectors.
Partners
Coordinator: Novamont
- Sioen Industries (Belgium)
- Centexbel (Belgium)
- ITENE
- Cellmat Technologies
- Aitiip
- Modelo Continente Hipermercados
- Mc Shared Services
- Mater-Biotech
- Profectus Films
- Legacoop
- SPRING - Italian Circular Bioeconomy Cluster
- Rottneros Packaging
- BIOEAST HUB CZ
- Moses Productos
- Nuevas Tecnologias Para El Desarrollo De Packaging Y Productos Agroalimentarios Con Componente Plastica
- Saes Getters
Acknowledgements
TERRIFIC is one of the four flagship projects funded in 2024 by the CBE-JU (Circular bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking), the public-private partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), which supports the development of the European bio-based industry.
Agreement N. 101157635 – TERRIFIC – HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023
