Sustainable packaging solutions of the bio-circular economy
Improving fiber-based packaging solutions
The project researches, develops and demonstrates the recyclability of wood fiber packaging as well as take-back and reuse solutions.
Promoting the circular economy of the packaging industry
Sustainable packaging solutions
The European Union has set circular economy goals for industrial packaging, and the level of ambition will rise even further with the updated Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The transition to a circular economy requires both more efficient recycling of the raw materials used in packaging and the widespread adoption of take-back and reuse concepts. This, in turn, requires both more resource-efficient recycling processes for packaging materials and the involvement of consumers in the development of new concepts. Currently, the use of recycled fiber is hindered by, for example, microplastics that end up in the process for various reasons. That raises the need to develop microplastic-free processes and, on the one hand, to replace plastic-based barriers, i.e. barrier materials, with bio- and wood fiber-based materials.
Not just a package
Sustainable packaging solutions for the biocircular economy – The BioPak project responds to the challenges set for wood fiber packaging and develops wood fiber packaging solutions that promote the biocircular economy in cooperation with the operators of the industrial packaging value chain. The section managed by Xamk focuses especially on improving the resource efficiency of processes for recyclable wood fiber packaging.
Project actions
The measures of the BioPak project are divided into the following work packages:
TP1. Development of innovative take-back and reuse concepts for wood fiber-based packaging
TP2. Improving the resource efficiency of recyclable wood fiber packaging processes
TP3. Validation of a microplastic-free recycling process
TP4. Strengthening the role of the consumer in the development of the industrial packaging value chain
TP5. Project coordination, communication, building an ecosystem and strengthening internationality
Xamk is responsible for the work package aimed at improving the resource efficiency of processes for recyclable wood fiber packaging.
Project outputs
The project is implemented together with the operators of the industrial packaging value chain and other key stakeholders. With the help of piloting and demonstrations carried out in the project, scalable results are produced both on packaging take-back and reuse concepts and on manufacturing processes utilizing recycled fiber. During the project, a know-how and innovation ecosystem will be built to be utilized in the companies’ product development and to continue cooperation, as well as help in internationalization.
As a result, in the section managed by Xamk, scalable solutions to the challenges of the manufacturing process utilizing recycled fiber have been developed, tested and reported. Plastic-replacing bio-based barrier coatings have been demonstrated especially with microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) applications.
Sustainable packaging solutions for the biocircular economy- BioPak is a joint group project of Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK), Southeastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk) and University of Oulu Measurement Technology unit (MITY). The project is part-financed by the European Union and the support was granted by the Häme Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment. Xamk’s budget in the project is 385,011 euros and the amount of EU support is 308,008 euros.
Project managers of sub-projects:
TAMK: Eeva Heikkilä (eeva.e.heikkila@tuni.fi)
Xamk: Noora Haatanen (noora.haatanen@xamk.fi)
MITY: Jarmo Hietanen (jarmo.hietanen@oulu.fi)
TAMK blog about the significance of the BioPak project
As a consumer, each of us encounters different packaging every day. Packaging is not predicted to decrease and the reason for this is, for example, the growth of online shopping. From the point of view of promoting the circular economy, improving the material efficiency of packaging, reducing single use and overpacking, and replacing plastic are current themes in both research and regulatory development. Consumers are increasingly environmentally conscious, which brings new opportunities for Finnish manufacturers of wood fiber packaging.
Read more about the project on Tamk’s blog (in Finnish).
Packaging plays an important role in the green transition – the national project meets the challenges of the circular economy
Facts
Sustainable packaging solutions of the bio-circular economy
Info
Budget
The amount of EU support granted to Xamk
308,008 euros
Keywords
Project partners
