The new Horizon Europe-funded GRECO project offers cutting-edge biobased, biodegradable, and recyclable food and drink packaging solutions, utilizing innovative PLA copolymers, functional coatings, additives, and eco-friendly catalysts. GRECO aims to showcase the life cycle and techno-economic viability of greener and safer bioplastics value chains for the food and drink packaging sector, following a safe and sustainable-by-design strategy.
The GRECO project launch is set for Valencia at AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, on 16-17 June 2025. Among the 22 partners, European Bioplastics and members like TotalEnergies Corbion, AIMPLAS, and INNOTECH COEXPAN-EMSUR have united under the leadership of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) to advance “Innovative biobased, biodegradable, recyclable, safe, and circular food and drink packaging.”
Dimitrios Bikiaris (AUTH), GRECO coordinator, states, “The GRECO project aligns with the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation by developing biobased, biodegradable, and recyclable PLA copolymers for food packaging. Our goal is to create sustainable and circular solutions that reduce waste and environmental impact.”
GRECO will design, demonstrate, and scale up various food and drink packaging materials—such as flexible and rigid applications for cheese, processed meat, fresh meat, berries, and nuts—in real operational settings. This approach will address diverse application needs while preventing moisture and aroma loss and enhancing shelf life.
AIMPLAS is engaged in several GRECO tasks. Belén Monje, leading researcher on Sustainable Chemistry, remarks, “We are particularly excited to implement reactive extrusion (REX) as a green chemistry technology for developing tailor-made and safe-and-sustainable-by-design PLA-based copolymers for the food packaging sector, scaling them up to TRL 7.” She adds, “The development of PLA-copolymers through reactive extrusion and the production of additives via mechanochemistry are groundbreaking approaches that will enable us to achieve more sustainable, biobased, recyclable, and biodegradable PLA compounds and coatings.”
We will also develop and optimize novel PLA copolymers using modeling tools to enhance biodegradability, performance, production rates, yield, and quality in an iterative manner.
As part of GRECO, TotalEnergies Corbion is committed to developing new PLA copolymers that enhance packaging performance and functionality, while also improving recyclability and biodegradability. Jenifer Mitja from TotalEnergies Corbion emphasizes, “Significantly reducing carbon footprints, PLA’s versatility, biobased origin, and wide industrial availability make it a key enabler in addressing the performance and sustainability requirements set by the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.”
GRECO will explore various end-of-life (EoL) scenarios, testing the recyclability of biobased polymers and materials through both mechanical and chemical recycling in open and closed-loop systems. Innovative recycling technologies will also process post-consumer plastic packaging approved for food contact, delivering decontaminated recycled-biobased polyesters.
In parallel, we will assess biodegradability for aerobic and anaerobic processes. The biodegradability of the developed materials will be tested in marine, water, and soil environments, along with conditions for industrial and home composting. Certification bodies TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium and DIN CERTCO will leverage biodegradability testing results to inform updates in their certification schemes.
The consortium will gather and analyze qualitative and quantitative data on consumer needs and perceptions, ensuring GRECO products align with consumer values surrounding sustainability, usability, and accessibility.
GRECO’s outcomes are anticipated to significantly contribute to several European action plans and strategies, including the Plastics Strategy, the Single-Use Plastics Directive, the Circular Economy Action Plan, and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
Hasso von Pogrell, Managing Director of European Bioplastics, argues, “European Bioplastics strongly believes that an actionable EU Bioeconomy Strategy should be a top priority to safeguard the strength of our European industries. This is only possible with a strong collaboration between all stakeholders, more policy support, and technological advancement. This project is an outstanding example of this collaboration and will bring great advancement to the development of circular bioplastics.”
GRECO has secured €7.6 million in funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 10117766.