The Plastics Technology Centre AIMPLAS will host the kick-off meeting of the GRECO project on 16 and 17 June 2025. Funded with €7.6 million under the Horizon Europe programme, GRECO aims to develop innovative food packaging solutions based on bio-based PLA copolymers, functional coatings, eco-friendly additives, and green catalysts, aligned with the principles of safe-and-sustainable-by-design.
Coordinated by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the project brings together 22 European partners, including TotalEnergies Corbion, AIMPLAS, INNOTECH COEXPAN-EMSUR, and European Bioplastics. Its goal is to demonstrate the technical and economic viability of new sustainable value chains for food packaging, supporting the implementation of the EU's revised Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
Belén Monje, lead researcher in sustainable chemistry at AIMPLAS, emphasised:
We are excited to apply reactive extrusion and mechanochemistry to develop tailor-made, high-performance PLA copolymers that are biodegradable, recyclable, and scalable up to TRL 7.
The newly developed materials will be tested in real-life applications — such as cheese, processed meats, fresh meats, berries, and nuts — aiming to extend shelf life, reduce aroma and moisture loss, and facilitate end-of-life processing. GRECO will explore advanced mechanical and chemical recycling scenarios, as well as biodegradability in natural and compostable environments, in collaboration with certification bodies such as TÜV AUSTRIA and DIN CERTCO.
According to Jenifer Mitja from TotalEnergies Corbion, the project showcases how PLA can meet demands for performance, recyclability, and carbon footprint reduction, thanks to its bio-based origin and wide industrial availability.
GRECO will also include a study on consumer behaviour and perceptions, ensuring that the packaging solutions developed are accessible, sustainable, and market-accepted.
As Hasso von Pogrell, Managing Director of European Bioplastics, stated:
GRECO is a tangible example of collaboration between industry, research, and policy to advance Europe’s strategy for a circular, bio-based economy.
