The Horizon Europe–funded UPCYCLE project has officially launched in Ghent, Belgium, bringing together 19 partners from 12 countries to transform non-recyclable plastic waste into recyclable and non-persistent packaging materials. Coordinated by Aalborg University in Denmark, the initiative aims to create new circular value chains that could significantly reduce reliance on incineration and landfill, aligning with EU sustainability and circular economy goals.
The consortium includes research institutions and companies from across Europe, among them AIMPLAS – the Plastics Technology Centre, RWTH Aachen University, University College Dublin, and Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant. Together, they intend to demonstrate how advanced polymerisation strategies, AI-driven process intensification, and eco-design principles can be applied to deliver packaging materials that are both recyclable and biodegradable.
According to project information, the research integrates Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design methodologies, smart polymerisation strategies, and AI tools to enhance process efficiency. Targeted packaging applications include flexible films for fresh food, short-lifetime deli packaging, beverage bottles, and personal care containers — all areas where recyclability and safe end-of-life performance are critical.
“By developing new circular value chains, UPCYCLE seeks to turn today’s non-recyclable plastic waste into tomorrow’s recyclable and non-persistent packaging materials,” the project statement noted. “The approach supports the EU’s transition towards sustainable plastics and advances the objectives of the Circular Economy Action Plan and Single-Use Plastics Directive.”
AIMPLAS Leads Efforts in Biodegradable Polymer Development
Within the project, AIMPLAS plays a leading role in bridging polymer research and industrial packaging applications. The Spanish centre is developing new polyesters and copolyesters — including PEF, PBAF, and PLA blends — through pilot-scale production methods such as reactive extrusion, compounding, injection moulding, and blow moulding.
AIMPLAS will also assess how these polymers behave at end-of-life through biodegradation modelling, compostability testing (industrial and home), and multi-cycle mechanical recycling trials. Environmental assessments in soil, freshwater, and marine settings will complement this analysis.
Beyond technical validation, AIMPLAS contributes to market analysis, end-user requirement definition, and regulatory compliance, ensuring the materials are not only sustainable but also commercially viable.
By 2029, UPCYCLE aims to demonstrate packaging solutions that achieve 30% lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to current bioplastics, while maintaining functionality and safety across multiple use cycles.
