ReBioCycle proves a portfolio of bioplastic sorting and recycling technologies within 3 complementary waste-processor-centric HUB at DEMO scale and in the real operational environment the effective and efficient recycling of 3x types of bioplastics (PLA, PHA, Mater-Bi) to demonstrate higher impact of obtaining the same or superior grade recycled polymers and other higher value applications. - NL HUB chemical technology upscaling to TRL 6. Using TORWASH technology to recycle PLA & PHA polymers (500 kg each. KPI: at least 1 m3 solution of monomers from each of PLA/PHA free of solids. The NCTP Group waste sorting site of Heerenveen (Friesland, NL) and TEC, PBM, Corbion will be involved. - IT HUB chemical technology upscaling to TRL 7. NOVAMONT technology will be used to recycle 600 kg of mixed composites including Mater-Bi. Also PHA from the NL and ES Hub will be tested in the IT HUB to blend into further Mater-Bi bioplastic formulations. IREN Group waste sorting site of Borgaro Torinese (Piedmont, Italy) and NOVAMONT’s new dedicated bioplastics recycling section within its Terni (IT) plant will be involved. - ES HUB Enzymatic recycling technology brought to TRL 6 , producing 50 kg within reactors of 200 litre s (CSIC (supported by AIMPLAS pre-treatment). Microbial recycling technology (by the AD “short-circuited” technology of GPB and UCD via pure culture fermentation ) brought to TRL 7 resulting outcomes 100kg rPHA (PHBV & PHBHx) and 20 kg rPHBV. Mechanical Technology upscaling to TRL 7 with the KPI level to be achieved 250 kg bioplastic recycle (TCD, AIMPLAS involved). HUB activities in SAV waste sorting site of Manises (Valencia, Spain). ReBioCycle will verify the industrial grade specifications by biopolymer brand owners and via demonstration of real-world products: durable (ARAPAHA: PLA) and multi-use packaging (SULAPAC: PHA and Mater-Bi). The LCA analysis by ARCHA and tailored D&E plan by partners EUBP and MAGFI will facilitate KER uptake.

BioSupPBioSupPack goal is to deliver novel, cost-competitive and versatile bio-based packaging solutions based on PHA, that demonstrate high-performance for the packaging of food, cosmetics, homecare and beverage products as well as no environmental damage during & after their use, by means of: 1. Optimization of PHA based formulations based on significantly use of >85% w/w of renewable resources. 2. Upscale the different conversion processes as well as post-consumers waste sorting & recycling following advanced industry 4.0 approach. 3. Broad the range of rigid packaging applications by tailoring biobased materials & packaging properties through the optimization of the formulations in combination with plasma technology or grafted coatings. 4. Integrate plasma technology in 3 different points of the value chain(biomasss pre-treatment, packaging production & packaging waste pre-treatment) increasing: i)PHB production yield, ii)PHB purity, iii) packaging performance(high oxygen & water barrier) and iv effectiveness & yield of enzymatic recycling. 5. Demonstrate and increase recyclability through:i) setting up a real-time monitoring system for the selective separation of developed packaging after its use; ii) mechanical recycling of industrial scraps and selective enzymatic recycling of packaging waste as the best EoL, with the final recovery of carbon sources for feedstock fermentation. Thus, the new packaging is environmentally safe(sustainable and improved value from enzymatic recycling) and contributes to Circular Economy(CE). 6. Establish a new value chain including the development of logistics and management of both the brewery and packaging waste. Complying with the industry needs (cost/performance competitive vs. fossil-based non-biodegradable counterparts and legislative compliance),as well as with consumers´ awareness, BioSupPack will have a great impact on EU bioplastics & end users’ sectors, the biorefineries and biotechnology industries and on the society.

MOEBIOS is an application of the circular (bio)economy concept: the development of three value chains incorporating separate recycling streams for bioplastics (BP’s) to improve waste management efficiency throughout Europe. It is a systemic innovation: it will create linkages addressed at the different key stages of the whole chains to solve a hierarchical challenge, from the collection of the bioplastic waste (simulated streams), up to the upcycling and validation of the final recycled end-products (holistic and coordinated solution). The new value chain will imply sorting, conditioning and valorising three types of waste streams from the packaging, agriculture and textile industries into three end-products, targeting to reach at least the same quality and functionality than the original grades, while the end users’ acceptance will be assessed as well. As cornerstone targets for maximizing project’s impact, the upscaling of the recycling processes will: (1) be integrated in pilot plants on the premises of actual industrial recycling lines currently operating in waste management companies, not disrupting them, and reaching a final TRL = 6/7 or even beyond. (2) focus on bioplastics for which recycling processes are still not in place, excluding bio-based analogues (“drop-ins”): PLA and PLA blends, PHA and its blends, PBS and PEF, accordingly with the market. The use of PBAT will be assessed as well. A Multi-Actor Approach (MAA) and a transdisciplinary methodology will engage waste producers, waste managers, bio-based and (bio)plastics industry, public authorities, standardization agencies, citizens and media multipliers, creating a co-creation and co-ownership innovation environment of + 50 participants.

Within Be-UP project new synthesis and processing routes will be developed for novel aliphatic-aromatic biopolyesters with increased renewable content using biobased building blocks (e.g 1,4 bio-BDO), alongside innovative catalysts and additives. These components will be optimized through advanced digital modelling tools, based on Kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) models, for synthesis and polymerization. These biopolyesters will be blended with commercial biopolymers (e.g., PLA, PBAT, and PHA), biobased chain extenders, and mineral fillers to create bioplastic packaging materials. The design of these blends will employ advanced compounding modelling tools, supported by techniques like screw design and inline rheology measurements, to achieve the target technical performance, sustainability and biodegradation goals using multi-objective function evaluation. Processability will be also a key factor, with a focus on the primary production techniques used in the packaging industry, namely, blown film extrusion, injection moulding and thermoforming. A set of packaging products’ prototypes (TRL7) will be manufactured to validate the developed materials. The biodegradability of these novel products will be assessed in different End-of-life (EoL) scenarios, including open environments and controlled conditions, thus making possible to fill the gap between laboratory conditions and real end-of-life behaviour of these materials. Additionally, the recyclability of the new products will be evaluated. The data and conclusions of these assessments will be useful for: i) the development of guidelines and tools for circular design contributing to the adoption of the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) Framework; ii) contributing to improve the standardization framework for testing and labelling of materials and packaging products. Be-UP is expected to replace more than 50,000 tonnes in 2032 of non-biodegradable plastics leading to savings of over 120,000 CO2 eq tonnes yearly.

BIO4COAT aims to validate at TRL 5 the use of 3 biobased building blocks (1,4-bioBDO, lcDCA, and biomethane) from Novamont’s biorefinery for producing safe and sustainable biobased coating solutions. Two value chains are planned: (1) Novamont will supply first-of-their kind polyester-polyols from 1,4-bioBDO and lcDCA for conversion into polyurethanes by FUNDITEC, to be used to create 1K PUD and 2K PUR in 7 prototypes under the guidance of ICAP-SIRA; (2) Aarhus University will purify biomethane for use by CEMECON in creating DLC coatings via CVD for high-temperature plastic processing tools, validated by LOGOPLASTE. Performance will be tested in terms of surface protection, printability, and controlled release under demanding conditions, with added recyclability, compostability, and no bioaccumulation, across 8 sectors (plastics, hygiene, textiles, agriculture, horticulture, furniture, energy, and construction). CERTH will implement a comprehensive SSbD methodology, guiding the development of biobased coatings with reduce (-20%) GHG emissions, allowing multiple EoL scenarios, and minimizing bioaccumulation risks. Upscaling insights(aligned with the CBE-JU TERRIFIC project), feasibility analyses, and business models will be supported by the University of Padua. KNEIA’s dissemination, exploitation, and communication efforts will maximize the visibility and impact of project outcomes. The analysis and engagement of stakeholder and the clustering activities will be performed at 2 levels: along the overall value chain by KNEIA, and with a focus on technical actors by EUBP which will establish 2 technical working groups with other EU-funded projects. Key impacts are expected in long-term progress in bio-based materials science and engineering, cost savings for industries by 30%, increased biodiversity and environmental health due to reduced pollution and sustainable resource use, expansion of the market for bio-based coatings, and enhanced competitiveness of EU SMEs