BIONTOP

Novel bio-based packaging films and textiles

Duration

01 / 06 / 2019 - 31 / 05 / 2023

Financing authorities

Horizon Europe

Bio-Based Industries Consortium

biogebaseerd

Project manager(s)

Ruben Geerinck

R&D Manager

rg@centexbel.be

Willem Uyttendaele

Researcher "Coating & Finishing Technologies"

wu@centexbel.be

Only 31% of plastic is currently recycled and plastic packaging still have a deficient end of life. Thus, improvements are needed to provide cost effective solutions with high bio-based contents and suitable performances for demanding packaging applications, with a consumption of 19M ton/year, while still achieving compostability in mild conditions.

Using sustainably sourced comonomers, additives and fillers to formulate novel PLA copolymers and compounds, the BIOnTOP project will deliver recyclable-by-design cost competitive packaging solutions that can be mechanically recycled, industrially/home composted or even suitable for anaerobic digestion.

Moreover, the barrier properties of delivered bio-packaging trays, films and derived packaging, will be enhanced using removable protein-based coatings and a novel fatty acid grafting technology to decrease permeability and compete with fossil packaging.

In the field of textile packaging , most used coatings are not bio-based and of different nature from the coated fibres, making material or organic recycling extremely difficult. New PLA coatings or fatty grafting will allow reprocessing without significant loss of properties.

BIOnTOP packaging, based on >85% renewable resources, will be compatible with a broad range of packaging applications’ requirements but also multiple end of Life options. Our materials will be biodegradable in home composting conditions but also recyclable for multiple use secondary packaging.

Based on new circular bioeconomy value chains, BIOnTOP will generate growth for EU bioplastics and end users’ industries in the food and personal care sectors with potential in many fields: BIOnTOP production is estimated to reach close to 9.6 Mton per year by 2030, overall leading to €40 M turnover and 170 new jobs. All in all, reducing the environmental footprint of plastics, our new bio-based packaging will have a significant positive social and environmental impact.

Objectives

The main goal of BIOnTOP is to deliver novel bio-based biodegradable packaging based on versatile copolymers and coatings that optimally preserve the packed products but also our resources (packaging based on significantly >85% renewable resources, partly produced from by-product biomass and recyclable). The different conversion processes as well as post-consumers waste sorting and recycling will be upscaled following advanced industry 4.0 approaches. Based on tailored PLA formulations and removable barrier or mono-material coatings, BIOnTOP packaging will be compatible with a broad range of packaging applications’ requirements but also multiple EoL options (materials & organic recycling, home & industrial composting and biogas production by AD).

The aim is to develop new bio-copolymers, compounds, biocomposites and coating formulations and process them into:

Recyclable, home-compostable monomaterial trays & films for fruits and vegetables.
Recyclable, multilayer trays & films for MAP (modified atmosphere packaging) for e.g. dairy and personal care products.
Home compostable & organically Recyclable nets for F&V.
Home compostable & organically recyclable coated textiles e.g. woven fabric tea bags.
Recyclable, reusable coated woven fabrics e.g. food wraps.
Recyclable, reusable secondary packaging from SRM (secondary raw materials):
1. Extruded blown bags.
2. Non-woven bags.