Italian technology plast / April 2025 |
Green-Loop is a European project which stands out for the contribution it has made to the manufacturing industry, by perfecting bio-based materials and optimising production processes to offer solutions compliant with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation( PPWR). Prominent among the protagonists of the project is the Italian company Mixcycling, which transforms agricultural by-products into bio-based materials ideal for various applications, particularly sustainable packaging. Guala Closures Breganze, a partner in the project, actively participates by designing new products and testing Mixcycling bioplastics for use in closures for bottles containing spirits, ensuring compliance with European regulations( EC 1935 / 2004 and 10 / 2011) and safety in contact with food, beverages and pharmaceutical products.
INNOVATIONS AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS FROM THE GREEN- LOOP PROJECT As part of the Green-Loop project, a new bio-based injection moulding composite was developed for creating screw cap and olive oil dispenser prototypes. In addition, an innovative microwave-assisted production process reduces energy consumption and enhances material properties. With technologies such as the aforementioned microwave-assisted injection moulding, which reduces energy consumption by up to 30 %, Green- Loop is paving the way for sustainable solutions capable of meeting the standards of conventional fossilbased plastics. Cooperation with industrial partners demonstrates the feasibility of integrating bio-based materials in various sectors, from food to packaging for cosmetics. New bio-based thermoplastics, which incorporate agricultural residues as fillers, show great potential for packaging applications.
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PRESENTATION AT ECOMONDO 2024 These advances were presented by the project’ s dissemination leader, NSBproject, with the paper“ Green- Loop: Sustainable Bio-based Materials and Circular Economy Solutions” as part of the Ecomondo 2024 conference programme in Rimini.
PPWR COMPLIANCE The European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, approved on 24 April 2024, aims to promote the circular economy by reducing the environmental impact of packaging and waste. Key objectives include:
• Reduction of waste volumes through the optimized use of materials and designs that avoid overpackaging;
• Fostering reuse by promoting longterm solutions;
• Increasing the share of recycled materials by improving collection systems and recycling processes.
A new bio-based composite for injection moulding has been used for screw cap and olive oil dispenser prototypes.
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The authors of the project. From left: Marco Scatto, polymer scientist, and Riccardo Varotto of NSBproject at the Ecomondo 2024 fair in Rimini
GREEN-LOOP AND SUSTAINABILITY Green-Loop demonstrates how biobased materials can play an important role in this transition, offering alternatives to traditional plastic materials also from a PPWR perspective. Thanks to the support of NSBproject, Mixcycling has developed materials for packaging and food closures. In collaboration with Guala Closures Breganze, it has integrated bioplastic composites into tamper-evident closures that, in terms of strength, hygiene and flexibility, are equivalent to conventional plastics.
FUTURE PROSPECTS FOR THE GREEN-LOOP PROJECT The bio-based materials proposed in the framework of the Green-Loop project could replace the recycled plastic content in case of lack of
recycled material or for qualitative reasons. According to Article 8 of the PPWR, the EU Commission will be required to review the state of technological development and environmental performance of biobased plastic packaging within 3 years of the entrance in to force of the PPWR taking into account the sustainability criteria set out in Article 29 of Directive( EU) 2018 / 2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Green-Loop will continue to develop solutions for bio-based materials by improving material formulations, optimizing manufacturing processes, and conducting rigorous testing to ensure scalability and commercialization. For the packaging sector, the project’ s results will offer solutions compliant with the PPWR.
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