Develop bio-based packaging products that are biodegradable/ compostable and/or recyclable (RIA)

Specific challenge: Currently, most of the packaging used in a wide variety of applications in different market sectors – including food, pharmaceuticals and clothing – is not recyclable. It consists mostly of multi-layer packaging, with each layer composed of different polymers that perform specific functions, making it technically non-recyclable. The end-of-life phase for this packaging, therefore, is either incineration or landfill.
Moreover, the compostable bio-based packaging that is currently available mainly ends up in industrial composting facilities. This is because other biological waste treatment processes like anaerobic digestion and home composters are generally not suitable for most of the current compostable polymers.
Novel alternative solutions should ‘eco-design’ packaging products to avoid the incineration and landfill routes at their end-of-life phase, rerouting them instead towards approved and accepted applications, where they can add value without adding an environmental burden.
The specific challenge of this topic is to make the end-of-life phase for packaging significantly more sustainable.

Identifier:BBI 2018.SO3.R10

Deadline:  06.09.2018