Periodic Reporting for period 3 - PAPILLONS (Plastic in Agricultural Production: Impacts, Lifecycles and LONg-term Sustainability)
Période du rapport: 2024-06-01 au 2025-05-31
Plastics are widely used in European farming. From mulching films and irrigation pipes to silage wraps and greenhouses (and beyond), they help increase yields and efficiency. Yet these benefits come at the hidden cost of plastic pollution accumulation soil, due to the ageing, breakdown, and mismanagement of these materials. These processes release tiny fragments, including micro- and nano-plastics that accumulate in soils in an irreversible manner. The use of biodegradable plastic can also produce microplastics that may persist in soil for relatively long time, especially in regions where the climate inhibits biodegradation. Until recently, very little was known about how these particles behave in agricultural environments, how they affect soil life and crop production, and what this means for the sustainability of food systems.
The PAPILLONS project filled a substantial part of this knowledge gap. Bringing together 20 partners from 12 countries, it created the first Europe-wide research programme on agricultural plastics and their long-term impacts. Over four years, the scientists working in the project mapped, for the first time plastic use and waste production in European farms, monitored microplastic levels in soils across the continent, and developed new laboratory methods and approaches to analyse the occurrence, behaviour, and impacts of these materials. The project also engaged with farmers, industry, and policy makers, to raise awareness and disseminate new knowledge. These activities had a concrete impact in improving plans and policy that can substantially reduce the addition of micro- and nano-plastics to soils.
The PAPILLONS project filled a substantial part of this knowledge gap. Bringing together 20 partners from 12 countries, it created the first Europe-wide research programme on agricultural plastics and their long-term impacts. Over four years, the scientists working in the project mapped, for the first time plastic use and waste production in European farms, monitored microplastic levels in soils across the continent, and developed new laboratory methods and approaches to analyse the occurrence, behaviour, and impacts of these materials. The project also engaged with farmers, industry, and policy makers, to raise awareness and disseminate new knowledge. These activities had a concrete impact in improving plans and policy that can substantially reduce the addition of micro- and nano-plastics to soils.
PAPILLONS created a digital Atlas of agricultural plastics in Europe. This online tool shows where plastics are most intensively used, where waste is generated, and where soils are most at risk of plastic contamination. For the first time, farmers, researchers, decision makers, and the public have open access to a shared resource that makes the footprint of plastic in agriculture visible and comparable across countries.
The project also carried out the first pan-European survey of microplastic in agricultural soils, sampling seventy sites in seven countries. This revealed the presence of microplastics and plastic chemical additives in farm soils across Europe, sometimes at very high concentrations. The study helped to understand where this plastic comes from, indicating that not only agricultural plastics, but the use of contaminated organic fertilisers and soil amendments, such as sewage sludge and compost, or atmospheric deposition are also important sources.
PAPILLONS conducted an ambitious set of laboratory and field-scale experiments, where microplastics were added to soil to evaluate the effects on soil properties, soil fauna, and crops. Results showed that microplastics from both conventional and biodegradable plastics can alter soil properties, water dynamics, microbiota, invertebrate fauna (such as earthworms), and plants in different conditions. By linking field surveys with laboratory and field experiments, PAPILLONS was able to provide unprecedented insight into how plastics behave and how they impact the ecosystem and potentially crop quality and production. This revealed that negative effects can already be seen at concentration levels that are not uncommon in European soils, ringing an alarm bell.
PAPILLONS ensured farmers (from Finland, Ireland, and Italy) were actively engaged in the project’s working groups by sharing their experiences and providing valuable input for the socio-economic analysis of plastic use in agriculture. Their input helped ground the socio-economic analysis in practical realities. The socio-economic analysis not only revealed hidden trade-offs but also estimated shadow prices of environmental externalities linked to plastic use. This approach enabled a more comprehensive assessment of farm performance and highlighted key areas for improvement.
The project also carried out the first pan-European survey of microplastic in agricultural soils, sampling seventy sites in seven countries. This revealed the presence of microplastics and plastic chemical additives in farm soils across Europe, sometimes at very high concentrations. The study helped to understand where this plastic comes from, indicating that not only agricultural plastics, but the use of contaminated organic fertilisers and soil amendments, such as sewage sludge and compost, or atmospheric deposition are also important sources.
PAPILLONS conducted an ambitious set of laboratory and field-scale experiments, where microplastics were added to soil to evaluate the effects on soil properties, soil fauna, and crops. Results showed that microplastics from both conventional and biodegradable plastics can alter soil properties, water dynamics, microbiota, invertebrate fauna (such as earthworms), and plants in different conditions. By linking field surveys with laboratory and field experiments, PAPILLONS was able to provide unprecedented insight into how plastics behave and how they impact the ecosystem and potentially crop quality and production. This revealed that negative effects can already be seen at concentration levels that are not uncommon in European soils, ringing an alarm bell.
PAPILLONS ensured farmers (from Finland, Ireland, and Italy) were actively engaged in the project’s working groups by sharing their experiences and providing valuable input for the socio-economic analysis of plastic use in agriculture. Their input helped ground the socio-economic analysis in practical realities. The socio-economic analysis not only revealed hidden trade-offs but also estimated shadow prices of environmental externalities linked to plastic use. This approach enabled a more comprehensive assessment of farm performance and highlighted key areas for improvement.
PAPILLONS has had a strong impact on dialogue and innovation. Farmers associations, industry partners and policy makers were engaged throughout the project, culminating in a final AGRIFOODPLAST conference and science-policy forum held in Brussels in April 2025, that gathered over 160 participants including representatives from the farming sector, plastic producers, international organisations, the European Commission, and key members of the European Parliament.
This wide engagement has helped ensure that PAPILLONS’ results feed into practice, regulation, and innovation. PAPILLONS had a direct and concrete influence in the inclusion of microplastic level as a soil health criterium in the upcoming EU soil monitoring law, marking a fundamental milestone for the protection of the terrestrial environment.
The project has already produced more than 45 peer-reviewed publications, with more in the pipeline. PAPILLONS has also inspired new collaborations and innovation projects aimed at developing more sustainable materials and practices for agriculture.
In summary, PAPILLONS has transformed agricultural plastics from a largely hidden issue into a recognised challenge. By combining scientific excellence with active multi-stakeholder dialogue, the project has created and shared knowledge, tools, and partnerships that will continue to guide innovation and decision-making long after its conclusion. Its legacy will be healthier soils, better farming practices, and a stronger foundation for sustainable food production in Europe.
This wide engagement has helped ensure that PAPILLONS’ results feed into practice, regulation, and innovation. PAPILLONS had a direct and concrete influence in the inclusion of microplastic level as a soil health criterium in the upcoming EU soil monitoring law, marking a fundamental milestone for the protection of the terrestrial environment.
The project has already produced more than 45 peer-reviewed publications, with more in the pipeline. PAPILLONS has also inspired new collaborations and innovation projects aimed at developing more sustainable materials and practices for agriculture.
In summary, PAPILLONS has transformed agricultural plastics from a largely hidden issue into a recognised challenge. By combining scientific excellence with active multi-stakeholder dialogue, the project has created and shared knowledge, tools, and partnerships that will continue to guide innovation and decision-making long after its conclusion. Its legacy will be healthier soils, better farming practices, and a stronger foundation for sustainable food production in Europe.