Circular-by-design fibre-based packaging with improved properties

Successful projects will drive the EU’s strategic green initiatives by:
• contributing to the implementation of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and action plan, Circular Economy Action Plan, Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, Zero Pollution Action Plan, EU Industrial Strategy, Biodiversity Strategy 2030, Regulation on Deforestation-free Products, Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation proposal and Eco-design for sustainable products regulation;
• delivering one or more full-scale manufacturing facilities and associated value chains for large-scale, sustainable production of fibre-based packaging;
• providing a broader range of circular bio-based packaging products that meet diverse market requirements and achieve high end-user acceptance;
• improving the sustainability footprint, safety profile and circularity performance relative to existing fossil and bio-based packaging benchmarks;
• generating socio-economic benefits through increased direct and indirect local and regional employment, value creation and strengthened competitiveness of the EU packaging sector.

• Focus on fibre-based packaging (including fibre-derived forms) for primary, secondary and tertiary applications, targeting improved or novel functional, barrier and mechanical properties beyond current benchmarks.
• Achieve pilot to industrial scale-up of production processes to TRL 8, deploying all components of the value chain (raw material sourcing, pulping, fibre modification, sheet formation, converting, finishing).
• Demonstrate end-product performance and market compliance (safety, barrier, mechanical strength, printability) at TRL 8, ensuring cost-competitiveness and end-user acceptance.
• Integrate bio-based add-ons (additives, coatings, adhesives, films) only if they maintain targeted end-of-life routes and keep fibre as main component.
• Design and validate circular end-of-life options (recycling, reuse, remanufacturing) at TRL 6+, quantifying closed-loop recovery rates and material quality.
• Include consumer and industrial stakeholder engagement to capture perception, behaviour and preference data throughout design, use and EoL.
• Apply and further refine the SSbD framework with defined thresholds, methodology enhancements and identification of safety, environmental and socio-economic data gaps.
• Address the regulatory compliance and safety assessment of the packaging in the context of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation proposal.
• Ensure synergies and build upon outcomes from relevant Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe, BBI JU and CBE JU projects.