Touch base with R&I projects
This is a series of exclusive online meetings connecting European Bioplastics members and community with novel research and innovation (R&I) projects focusing on bioplastics. These projects are all funded by either Horizon Europe or the Circular Bio-Based Europe Joint Undertaking.
We bring to you the representatives of projects which have just kicked off their activities.
What to expect
Each 45-minute session includes:
- First-hand insights into novel R&I approaches in the bioplastics sector
- Opportunities for collaboration
- A chance to meet potential partners for your own R&I projects
Who should join?
This series is for EUBP members and the EUBP community, particularly those involved in research & development, applications, standardisation, and regulatory affairs.
Format
- A 20-minute presentation followed by a 20-minute Q&A with the participants.
- Always from 12:00 to 12:45 pm CEST
When?
Once a month.
Calendar
27 January 2026 Touch base with UPCYCLE: Developing novel circular value chains to transform non-recyclable plastic waste into highly recyclable and non-persistent packaging solutions
Join us for a touch base with this project from 12:00 to 12:45 pm CET.
Funded by Horizon Europe, UPCYCLE will develop novel circular value chains that convert today’s non-recyclable plastic waste into highly recyclable and non-persistent packaging materials. By doing so, the project will reduce reliance on incineration and landfill, support EU circular economy goals, and create a credible pathway toward non-persistent, safe, and sustainable plastics.
Recording: https://youtu.be/aOG_AR-KUxI
Presentation: https://zenodo.org/records/18391054
Questions? Please contact Chiara Bearzotti and Estela Lopez-Hermoso: euprojects@european-bioplastics.org
24 February 2026 Touch base with E-OILE': Sustainable End-Of-Life routes for single-use monodose packaging for oily products
Join us for a touch base with this project from 12:00 to 12:45 pm CET.
Funded by Horizon Europe, E-OilÉ addresses safe and sustainable biodegradable packaging solutions close to the market by a) demonstrating at TRL 7 biodegradable materials based on novel biopolyesters and polysaccharides, engineered to enhance barrier and mechanical performance for the packaging of highly demanding oily products. They will be aimed to be a cost-effective alternative to replace current monodose packaging made from non-biodegradable fossil-based (FB) materials (PE, PP and PET) in flexible and semi-rigid formats, following the SSbD framework ; b) implementing a circular business model for two types of bioplastics for packaging of food and cosmetic products, through fours Uses Cases: Olive oil; oily sauces ; Body oil and Oil serum; c) validating the packaging performance, safety, sustainability and acceptance along the whole supply chain (from material producers to consumers) ; d) demonstrating ≥ 90 % biodegradation in acceptable frame time, following reference standards and in environmentally relevant conditions and, therefore, multiple sustainable End-of-Life (EoL) pathways for the new packaging solutions that will be assisted by the creation of digital twin, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced modelling mechanisms for digitally assisted accurate prediction of degradation processes.
Register on Eventbrite
Questions? Please contact Chiara Bearzotti and Estela Lopez-Hermoso: euprojects@european-bioplastics.org
24 March 2026 Touch base with BioSupPack: Upgrading the production and enzymatic recycling of environmentally friendly PHA-based rigid packaging solutions, using beer spent grains as feedstock units
Join us for a touch base with this project from 12:00 to 12:45 pm CET.
Funded by the CBE, BioSupPack’s purpose is to upscale new, economically convenient and highly-performing bio-based rigid packaging solutions based on PHA, also suitable for being recycled and recovered. The project has explored, first at lab-scale and pilot level and then at large scale, the possibility to use brewery industry by-products (beer-spent grains) as a fermentation feedstock for PHB production. BioSupPack focuses on final consumers’ satisfaction and perception to deliver marketable products after the end of the project in the food, beverage, homecare and cosmetic products’ packaging segments.
Register on Eventbrite
Questions? Please contact Chiara Bearzotti and Estela Lopez-Hermoso: euprojects@european-bioplastics.org
21 April 2026 Touch base with SOUL: Bio-based in-soil applications with optimal biodegradation in their ultimate life
Join us for a touch base with this project from 12:00 to 12:45 pm CET.
The EU-funded SOUL project is developing biodegradable materials with a high renewable content. The aim is to transform existing plastics and implement sustainable end-of-life solutions to improve waste management and reduce carbon footprints. Specifically, the project will establish a value chain to produce 11 bio-based and biodegradable in-soil products that meet market demand (up to TRL 8). It will combine three building blocks and eight technologies to achieve 95 % renewable raw materials. The consortium partners will focus on producing new materials, transforming existing plastic products, and developing sustainable end-of-life solutions. By addressing waste management, reducing carbon footprints, and preventing soil contamination, SOUL seeks to contribute to a more sustainable and circular plastic economy.
Register on Eventbrite
Questions? Please contact Chiara Bearzotti and Estela Lopez-Hermoso: euprojects@european-bioplastics.org
Past
25 November 2025 - Touch base with BioPackMan: Biodegradable Packaging Materials Advancing Circularity, Sustainability & Eco-Innovation
Funded by Horizon Europe, BioPackMan develops next-generation biodegradable polymer materials (BDPMs), such as PHAs, PBS/PBSA, and PLA, that meet performance requirements for mechanical strength, gas barrier properties, and thermal and chemical resistance. The project will deliver four innovative biodegradable formulations and six sustainable additive systems, incorporating natural ingredients such as cellulose nanomaterials, nanolignin, and plant-based extracts. Six packaging demonstrators will be developed for key application sectors, including food, personal care, and home care. The entire innovation process will be guided by the principles of Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD), with a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and lifecycle thinking.
Resources: Presentation and Recording
21 October 2025 - Touch base with INSOIL: Safe bio-based and biodegradable IN-SOIL solutions for circular and sustainable crop production
Funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), INSOIL stands for Safe bio-based and biodegradable IN-SOIL solutions for circular and sustainable crop production. INSOIL tackles agricultural plastic pollution by developing three families of fully bio-based, safe, in-soil biodegradable products in the form of mulch films, plant guards and controlled-release fertilisers (CRFs) based on sustainable PHA combined with tailored additives.
Presentation and recording are now available.
If you wish to get in touch with INSOIL, please write to Chiara Bearzotti and Estela Lopez-Hermoso: euproject@euopean-bioplastics.org
23 September 2025 - Touch base with GRECO: Innovative biobased biodegradable recyclable safe and circular food packaging
Funded by the European Union, the GRECO project stands for Innovative biobased biodegradable recyclable safe and circular food packaging. GRECO kicked off on June 1st 2025. GRECO aims to demonstrate the life cycle and techno-economic feasibility of greener and safer bioplastics value chains for the food packaging sector, based on a safe a sustainable by design (SSbD) strategy. To this am, innovative biobased, biodegradable, and recyclable packaging based on new PLA copolymers, coatings, additives and catalysts, accompanied by surface treatments will be produced.
Resources: Recording and presentation
If you wish to get in touch with GRECO, please write to Chiara Bearzotti and Estela Lopez-Hermoso: euproject@euopean-bioplastics.org
Fun
ded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HADEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
21 June 2025 - Touch base with BIO4COAT: Biobased building block from biorefinery for safe diamond-like and biopolyurethane coating solutions under extreme and demanding conditions of use and end-of-life
The project coordinator of the BIO4COAT project, Sonia Sabaté (Funditec) provided insights on the project goals and plans on 21 June 2025. The BIO4COAT project kicked off on May 1st 2025.
Funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking, the BIO4COAT project stands for Biobased building block from biorefinery for safe diamond-like and biopolyurethane coating solutions under extreme and demanding conditions of use and end-of-life. BIO4COAT aims to validate at TRL5 the use if three biobased building blocks (1,4-bioBDO, lcDCA and biomethane) from Novamont´s biorefinery for producing safe and sustainable biobased coating solutions.
If you wish to get in touch with the coordination team, please write to Chiara Bearzotti and Estela Lopez-Hermoso: euprojects@european-bioplastics.org
22 July 2025 - Touch base with Be-UP: Boosting the Industrial Uptake of Biodegradable polymers for packaging Applications by implementing digital tools and advanced techniques
The project coordinator of the Be-UP project, Amparo Verdú (ITENE) provided insights into the project goals and plans on 22 July. The Be-UP project kicked off on May 1st 2025. ITENE is a EUBP member.
Funded by the European Union, the Be-UP project stands for Boosting the Industrial Uptake of Biodegradable polymers for packaging Applications by implementing digital tools and advanced techniques to achieve a holistic sustainability goal. Within the Be-UP project, new synthesis and processing routes will be developed for novel aliphatic-aromatic biopolyesters with increased renewable content using biobased building blocks, alongside catalysts and additives.A set of packaging products prototypes will be manufactured to validate the developed materials. The recyclability of the new products will be evaluated.
Resources: Recording and presentation
If you wish to get in touch with the coordination team, please write to Chiara Bearzotti and Estela Lopez-Hermoso: euprojects@european-bioplastics.org
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HADEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Find out more
Do you have an innovative idea?
European Bioplastics is proud to be part of an international network to successfully address the global and EU-wide challenges related to more sustainable polymer materials and to support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals together with our partners. If you would like to find out more about our project-based activities, or if you would like to partner up with European Bioplastics or its members in research project initiatives, do not hesitate to contact us or complete and return this form.