FOIL’ON - developing and producing biodegradable and suitable for compost laminating film called LAM’ON and packaging foil PACK’ON, lowering plastic pollution

Project Information

FOIL'ON

Grant agreement ID: 190131184

DOI

10.3030/190131184

Project closed

EC signature date 6 May 2022

Start date 1 May 2022

End date 31 October 2024

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 2 033 576,68

EU contribution

€ 1 207 113,00

Coordinated by

LAM ON
Bulgaria

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - FOIL'ON (FOIL’ON - developing and producing biodegradable and suitable for compost laminating film called LAM’ON and packaging foil PACK’ON, lowering plastic pollution)

Reporting period: 2023-04-01 to 2024-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The founding vision behind LAM’ON Ltd. was to demonstrate that eco-friendly print and packaging solutions can align with current visual and design trends, without sacrificing quality or performance. We are committed not only to sustainability but also to fostering a diverse and modern production environment in our home country of Bulgaria. Our country has established itself as a significant exporter in the print and packaging industry, contributing high-quality, innovative products to markets across Europe and beyond. It benefits from a skilled workforce, competitive production costs, and increasing investment in technology - such as ours!

Having recently launched our packaging line, we are preparing to capture a substantial market share. We want to prove that sustainability is not merely an idealistic goal but a viable and profitable business strategy. This approach not only fosters the growth of our company but also encourages other businesses to adopt sustainable practices. Over time, we envision a significant reduction in the production and use of petroleum-based films, promoting healthier consumption habits among end users.

The growth of our company will also stimulate the competition to move towards more sustainable development.
In order to properly test all the assumptions made during the four and a half years of R&D and previous prototypes with subcontractors, we’ve purchased a semi-industrial co-extrusion blown film line that we could use to produce the final version of our prototypes. The process consists of multiple trail runs of the equipment at different speed and temperature as well as very small changes in the additives ratio.

With support from the EIC Accelerator, we have successfully scaled up our PACK'ON foil production to an industrial level by adding a co-extrusion machine to our operations. This transition required significant adjustments to our technological processes, enabling us to uphold the high-quality standards of our bio-based foils while effectively meeting the growing demand from our expanding customer base.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the past months the main objective of the company was to set up a small production and testing facility where we would be able to achieve the goals set in this project.
The company already passed the environmental assessment and the regional health inspection. Apart from that we intent to proceed with ISO 9001 - The ISO certification ensures that we continually improve our systems to better meet
customer needs and expectations.

A crucial point in the beginning of this EIC project was to order the right equipment and make sure the Co-extrusion Blown Film Line has all the features we would need for the production of our prototype films. Currently the co-extruder is in-house and assembled. We also acquired a slitter that is used to resize the rolls of foil before testing with customers, as well as a small machine used for resizing the roll cores.

Intellectual Property (IP) protection is a cornerstone of LAM'ON’s commercialization and growth strategy. As a company pioneering bio-based packaging solutions, we prioritize securing our innovations through robust IP frameworks.
Currently, we are in the process of finalizing national phase patent protections in both the EU and the USA, which will safeguard our unique formulations, production methods, and applications from unauthorized use.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

LAM'ON is built on a foundation of rigorous quality control, environmental sustainability, and compliance with global regulatory standards.
We are committed to developing bio-based packaging solutions that not only meet the functional needs of our clients but also align with the highest environmental and safety benchmarks.
Our processes incorporate international standards such as ISO certifications to ensure consistent quality, reliability, and transparency across our product lifecycle.

This framework enables us to effectively monitor and improve our impact, providing assurance to stakeholders that our products and practices are both environmentally responsible and socially beneficial.
Our dedication to these standards ensures that LAM'ON remains at the forefront of innovation in sustainable packaging, continually evolving to meet industry demands and regulatory requirements.

LAM'ON's commercialization strategy focuses on bringing our bio-based packaging solutions to market with a clear emphasis on sustainability, functionality, and consumer demand for eco-friendly alternatives.
After years of research and development, we are now expanding our market presence by targeting industries with high potential for sustainable transformation, including apparel and packaging sectors.
Our recent launch of garment and apparel packaging solutions exemplifies our commitment to providing environmentally conscious products that meet industry-specific needs.

Our commercialization efforts also involve building strategic partnerships with businesses that prioritize sustainability, as well as educating customers on the benefits of switching to bio-based, compostable alternatives.
By leveraging our commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards and aligning with CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) requirements, we provide added value and credibility to clients seeking to reduce their environmental impact.
This framework not only enhances our brand reputation but also positions us as a key player in the sustainable packaging market, facilitating broader adoption of our solutions and driving long-term growth.

In our efforts to establish better connections with clients in the EU we got accepted as members in the German Bulgarian chamber of industry and commerce, British Bulgarian Business Association (BBBA) and CCI France Bulgarie.

packaging of garments

Paper laminated with LAM'ON laminating film

rolls of foil shrink wrapped cans

the-machine.png