Author: Elena Torres, AITEX
The BioNanoPolys industrial partners role in the project focus on the development of different user cases by using the biomaterials obtained by the BioNanoPolys partners during the project development and the pilot plants available in the OITB. Therefore, the main goal is the demonstration of the technical feasibility of BioNanoPolys services and pilot plants. In this sense, 8 industrial partners leaded by AITEX will study the development of 21 user cases by using the pilots plants and services available in the OITB.
Biomaterials for packaging applications (Novamont S.p.A.)
NOVAMONT will validate the use of biobased nanoadditives with multifunctional properties in the preparation of biodegradable and compostable biomaterials to be employed in packaging products. Therefore, NOVAMONT will incorporate into the biopolymers matrix block copolymers developed in pilot plant 3 (ITENE facilities) as reinforcement (UC1), nanocapsules (UC3) developed in pilot plant 5 (functional nanocapsuples at CENTI facilities) and nanoclays (UC4) using pilot plant 7 (nanocomposites compounging at CIDAUT facilities). Also, cellulose nanofibers modified to improve water dispersion using pilot plant 2 (ITENE facilities) will be applied as barrier coating on paper-based substrates (UC2) using pilot plant 14 (coating process at CENTI, ITEN, AITEX and CTP facilities).
Roll paper food packaging (DS Smith Plc)
DS Smith will evaluate new functionalities on the paper materials for food contact applications. In this sense, DS Smith will study reinforced paper pulp with cellulose nanofibers (UC5) by using pilot plant 10 (Cellulose based applications at CTP facilities) and paper sheets coated with cellulose nanofibers by using pilot plant 14 (Spray-coating of cellulose nanoFibres at CTP facilities). Also, hydrophobicity and oxygen barriers properties will be imparted to paper materials (UC6) using pilot plant 6 (Chromatogeny process at CTP facilities) and pilot plant 14 (Spray-coating of cellulose nanoFibres at CTP facilities) respectively. Finally, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties will also be imparted to the paper substrate (UC7) by using pilot plant 5 (functional nanocapsuples at CENTI facilities) and pilot plant 14 (coating by flexography at ITENE and by roll, blade or size-press method at CTP facilities). Recyclability of all products developed will be studied by CTP.
Non-woven, personal care and cleaning products (Textisol SL)
TEXTISOL will obtain 100% compostable non-woven textiles (UC8) such as personal care wipes and cleaning wipes, also TEXTISOL will develop antimicrobial non-woven products (UC9) as make-up remover discs and dry products of cotton functionalised with nanolignin. Therefore, the proof of concept and development of such products will be proceeded by using the pilot plant 11 (textiles and non-woven at STFI and AITEX facilities), and the pilot plant 5 (functional nanocapsules at CENTI and ITENE facilities).
Cosmetic products with active agents (Ambrosialab SRL)
AMBROSIA will formulate cosmetic products aditivated with nanocellulose (UC10) developed in pilot plant 2 (obtention of nanocellulose nanofibers at ITENE) and nanocapsules incorporating specific properties, such as lipophilic oils encapsulation (UC11) developed at pilot plant 5 (functional nanocapsules at CENTI). Finally, for the obtention of functional food (UC12), nanocapsules with Vitamin E, citric oil, timus oil or basil oil will be directly incorporated into the food.
Rigid packaging for personal care and food applications (Logoplast Innovation Lab LDA)
Logoplaste will develop two products of rigid packaging. On the one hand, 100% compostable bottles (UC13) for personal care applications will be developed through injection stretch blow moulding using biopolymers obtained in pilot plant 7 (nanocomposites compounding at ITENE). Afterwards, antioxidant nanocapsules will be synthesised in pilot plant 5 (functional nanocapsules at CENTI) to be applied by spry drying finishing inside the bottle using pilot plant 14 (coating at ITENE). On the other hand, 100% compostable bottles (UC14) for food applications will be developed by co-extrusion blow moulding with biodegradable biopolymers reinforced with nanocellulose obtained in pilot plant 2 (obtention of nanocellulose nanofibers at ITENE) and compounded in pilot plant 7 (nanocomposite compounding at ITENE).
Biobased reinforced foamed products (CellMat Technologies)
CellMat will develop 3 biobased foamed products using pilot plant 13 (Extrusion Foaming and Bed foaming). To this end, material definition and optimization will be proceeded by studying different biobased polymers (PBS, PLA, and BioPA) reinforced with nanoclays and/or cellulose nanofibers. Fistr, nanoclays obtained by ITENE in pilot plant 5 (functional nanocapsules) and/or Cellulose NanoFibre developed in pilot plant 2 will be applied on foamed trays for food packaging based on PBS (UC15) using pilot plant 6 (spry drying at ITENE) to extend shelf life. Secondly, biopolymers obtained by NOVAMONT and Bio PolyAmide with modify nanoclays or cellulose nanofibers obtained in pilot plant 2 will be studied to develop foamed packaging based on bioexpanded beads (UC16) with improved shelf-life and barrier properties. Finally, PLA aditivated with nanoclays and cellulose nanofibers that ITENE using pilot plant 7 will be studied to develop complex shaped foamed parts for the automotive sector (UC17) through bead foaming and steam-chest moulding using pilot plant 13.
Flexible packaging for food applications (Danipack, Industrial del plástico SA)
Danipack will obtain flexible packaging with improved oxygen and moisture barrier properties (UC18). In this sense, Bio PE will be mixed with nanomaterials such as Nanoclay and/or Nanocellulose developed in pilot plant 2 at ITENE, to be used as masterbatch or compound (pilot plant 7). Also, ITENE will develop PLA-PBS and PLA-PHBV blends using pilot plant 7, reinforced with nanocellulose and/or nanoclays to achieve high barrier performance (UC19). Finally, application of active nanocapsules developed in pilot plant 5 will be applied as coating to the final product using pilot plant 14 with the aim of increasing the shelf life of the packaging solution.
Biodegradable fibres for agricultural applications (Hilos Tecnicos San Miquel SL)
Hilos Técnicos San Miguel S.L. will obtain biodegradable monofilaments based on PLA and PHB for agricultural applications (UC20) using the pilot plant 11 (monofilament melt extrusion in AITEX facilities) and and and fucntionalised them with anti UV, antioxidant and antibacterial nanocapsules (UC21) developed in pilot plant 5 (functional nanocapsules at CENTI) and applied using pilot plant 11 (coating in AITEX facilities).