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.

Agricultural plastics used in crop production often remain in the soil after application. Persistent plastic accumulation leads to the release of microplastics and toxic substances causing soil pollution and threatening ecosystems. Single-use plastics are of particular concern, as they are impractical to recover. To mitigate these impacts, the EU aims by 2030 to 1) reduce by 20% fossil-based plastic production and 2) cut by 30% microplastic releases into the environment. In response, bio-based alternatives are emerging, as they can safely biodegrade in-soil. However, further development is needed to produce biodegradable technologies that are high-performing and cost-effective. 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), in order to replace widespread single-use plastics in crop production. These three product families will be based on sustainable PHA combined with tailored additives (MFCs, modified lignins), enabling for programmed biodegradation suited to specific climates and crops. They will be enriched with active bioproducts (organic NPK, biostimulants, bio-based PPPs) to enhance their functionality, value and adoption. INSOIL agriproducts will be field validated with end users (TRL8) across relevant vegetables and fruit trees in Southern and Northern Europe. SSbD experts will ensure compliance, policy recommendation will advance relevant regulations and standards, and circular business models will secure market acceptance. By 2035, INSOIL agriproduct commercialisation will reduce (micro)plastic release (5,820 tonnes) and agrochemical use (4,000 tonnes), cutting CO2 emissions by 16,000 tonnes, while generating €17.4 M in savings for farmers. INSOIL will thus contribute to a secure food supply and boost the sustainability, circularity, autonomy and competitiveness of EU bio-based value chains.

Recent developments render the biobased sector a key player in European Economy providing a great impetus towards Circular Business Models of resource efficiency. Developments in biobased nanomaterials are coupled with biotechnologies applied to biomass converting the renewable resources into high added-value polymers. BIOMAC will establish an Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB) Ecosystem providing open access to SMEs or Industry to a single-entry point. Starting from the utilization of biomass sources followed by the production of biobased nanoparticles and different building blocks the ecosystem produces biopolymers for the strategic sectors of Food Packaging, Construction, Automotive and Printed Electronics which consist a high market share. A self-sustainable open innovation ecosystem for the upscaling of upscaled processes across the supply and value chain is intended to be created in order fill this gap. Although the last two decades a high number of publications have been only a very limited number of such cases has been finally commercialized and reached the market end users. Some of the reasons that these have not been adopted by the market are lack of investment, funding for further development, upscaling and the limited willingness of end users to adopt nanomaterials into their processes, this is the ‘valley of death’ which BIOMAC intends to overcome. The OITB will offer services that cover the assessment of regulation & safety, sustainability, circularity and market potential among with modeling, process control, standardization and characterization; accessible at fair conditions and cost. BIOMAC establishes a concrete community of open collaboration for stakeholders and customers enabling innovation and minimization of investment risks. This will be achieved by offering an open innovation ecosystem, in which technologies that have been developed up to TRL4-5 will be able to be upscaled and validated up to TRL 7.