16 PLs were upgraded and the validation of the pilot lines was performed by finding the right processing conditions for upscaling the TCs. During the product development, the final parameters were defined and adjusted based on the experience and feedback from the industrial partners. The nine TCs were smart labels for packaging, fibre-based stand-up pouches, biofoam boxes, cosmetic tubes, interior and exterior automotive components, ultracapacitors, personalised inner shoe soles and sports goods. Six of the nine demonstrators showed business potential, and the work will be continued by the industrial partners.
The work continued with the two Open Calls, which extended the OITB procedures to a wider array of potential end-users, and markets, diversifying the project's ecosystem and broadening the range of innovative solutions offered. The received proposals were evaluated by external and internal reviewers based on the selection criteria defined in the beginning of the process. 11 of them were determined as the most suitable for the OITB. The selected new TCs not only were the first to test our facilities but also validated that the operational procedures of the OITB work.
As the main outcome of the eco-design strategies linked to PL upgrades, resource efficiency was found to be the eco-design strategy under which, increased productivity, improved energy efficiency and recyclability have been applied by most of the PLs. LCA an LCC analysis were performed on each PL and TC. In most of the TCs, the bio-based materials reduced the overall Global Warming Potential by approximately 40 % compared to the fossil-based alternative. For the rest of the TCs the GWP was similar as for the reference. High depreciation cost and research labour cost were identified as the two hotspots in cost assessments. Excluding these two cost categories, the analysis indicated that the cost can be comparable to fossil-based alternative materials. The risk and regulation assessments ensured compliance of the TCs with future regulations, focusing on REACH legislation. Furthermore, the results of occupational exposure assessments done under the nanosafety work were used for EHS recommendations for three of the PLs.
After considering several OITB models, the main administrative and operational procedures and the OITB structure were defined. The OITB has been set-up and will operate based on contractual agreements between the partners and the SEP (STAM). A new legal entity was not set-up due for various reasons that were carefully analysed. These points included e.g. changes in the regulatory landscape for the end-of-life of vehicles, and the PPWR, where recycled fossil-based plastics are valued over bioplastics and all packaging should be reusable or recyclable by 2030. After tuning the business plan based on the new projections, the market analysis showed projected revenues for the OITB to only 40% of the primary estimation. A business plans was developed to ensure the OITB's operation and growth up to 2029, with revenues projected to increase significantly. In addition, during the project, a digital platform for the OITB was created to store all relevant information about the services of the OITB available for future customers.
Through communication and dissemination, the project increased the visibility of the OITB. All partners contributed to increase the outreach and awareness of INN-PRESSME through conferences, dissemination activities to promote the OCs and organising clustering events. The most impactful activities include: 25 videos, 27 presentations, 2 policy conferences, 13 newsletters, 11 journalistic articles, 9 scientific articles, a result magazine, and factsheets for the TCs.
