Objective
Replacing synthetic plastics with circular-economy-ready materials is one of key challenges for a sustainable future. Natural materials, especially the ones from waste streams, are promising. Unfortunately, they suffer from limited performance, especially at high relative humidity (RH). To date, the only solution is to use synthetic additives that increase performance, while undermining the overall sustainability.
We have recently developed a novel approach to address both these limitations. It is based on multilayers of natural materials (food-waste derived proteins and natural oils) that are cross-linked (CL) with a single type of dynamic covalent bond, resulting in a modulation of the single layer property (intra-layer CL) as well as in adhesion control (inter-layer CL). These materials are engineered for three end-of-life scenarios. They can be recycled by chemical means leading the initial layers that can reform the original material, by biochemical means leading to useful amino acids, or by biodegradation in the environment.
This approach, when judiciously engineered leads to materials that keep their performance up to 75% RH. Importantly the oxygen and water-vapor barrier proprieties achieved outperform common polymers such as polylactic acid, polycarbonate, polystyrene, and nylon 6.
In this project we will address all the current shortcomings of our best multilayers so to create prototype materials to be leveraged for the starting of a company.
Specifically, we will:
• replace plasticizers with covalently linked natural products to avoid small molecules loss when in contact with food;
• replace natural oils with lipids derived from food waste streams;
• broaden the scope by adding cellulose to enhance performance;
• scale up the production and perform a complete and credible life-cycle assessment.
The final deliverable will be the realization of single-use food packaging materials cheaper, more sustainable, and more performant of what we currently use.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology biomaterials bioplastics polylactic acid
- engineering and technology materials engineering amorphous solids organic amorphous solids
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
- engineering and technology other engineering and technologies food technology food packaging
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2026-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1015 Lausanne
Switzerland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.