HORIZON-CL4-2024-TWIN-TRANSITION-01-01: Bio-intelligent manufacturing industries

(Made in Europe Partnership)

Expanding bioplastics production: replacing fossil raw materials with sustainable materials

• Type of project: Research and innovation action (RIA)
• Deadline date: 07 Feburary 2024

ABOUT US

Łukasiewicz - ICSO ”Blachownia”, one of the institutes of the Łukasiewicz Research Network (R&D), deals with processes in the field of polymer and organic chemistry along with the necessary chemical analyses. We focus on new materials, including new polymerization technologies, modification and processing of polymeric materials, including biopolymers and materials with a lower carbon footprint. Moreover, we have a broad experience in the development of recipes for new types of polymeric materials, technologies for manufacturing and modification of resins (epoxy, phenolic, non-isocyanate, bio-based) and determination of physico-chemical and rheological properties of polymeric materials. Extensive track record and developed know-how allow us to develop materials based on petrochemical raw materials (polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyesters, epoxy and phenolic resins) as well as bio-based materials (thermoplastic starch, chitosan, sodium alginate, lignin, polylactide, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyethylene furanoate, non-isocyanate polyurethanes). Our priority is to develop biopolymers, recyclable materials and to improve the processing operations to reduce post-production waste, CO2 and energy consumption. We possess experience with both single-use polymeric materials and high-performance composite materials, including high-filled products.

OUR IDEA

Biopolymers, due to their specific nature, have not yet dominated the plastics market mainly because their production process is not as simple as that of traditionally used plastics. The solution is to expand their production capabilities and applications by modifying them for their processing properties. Within the scope of the Call we propose to work on biopolymer materials (mainly starch, PLA or chitosan, but we are also open to other biopolymers) so as to simplify the production process of these polymers.

We can contribute with:

• Modification of polymer to reduce its hydrophilic nature so that no time-consuming drying is required during processing
• Modification of polymeric materials in terms of their ability to be processed on traditionally used machines- the purchase of entirely new production lines fully dedicated to particular polymer will not be necessary.

We possess facilities that allow us to modify biopolymers in terms of their rheological properties, which is concerned as crucial parameter in processability.