Bio-based polymers and composites

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Ceasing to use non-renewable fossil raw materials and minerals is essential for the EU to achieve the climate targets set in the European Green Deal. The European Commission, along with the EBC associations, seeks to do so through research into circular production processes based on raw materials, such as plants and other renewable materials of agricultural, marine and forestry origin.

GAIKER is fully aligned with the Bioeconomy strategy and is working on new innovative bio-based polymers and composites. We participate actively in projects to develop sustainable materials and solutions. This includes biorefinery concepts, such as chemical processes that use bio-based building blocks or biological processes. Sustainability aspects include the selection of raw materials, such as biomass, secondary streams and waste, and end-of-life options (biodegradability/compostability and/or recycling).

Projects

Sustainable end-of-life routes for single-use monodose packaging for oily products. E-OILE

The objective is to address safe and sustainable near-to-market biodegradable packaging solutions through TRL 7 demonstration of biodegradable materials based on novel biopolyesters and polysaccharides, designed to improve the mechanical and barrier performance for the packaging of high performance oleic-based products. They are intended to be a cost-effective alternative to replace existing single-dose packaging made of non-biodegradable fossil-based materials (PE, PP and PET) in flexible and semi-rigid formats, in accordance with the SSbD framework.

Leader: GAIKER

Advancing ecosystem-based management through hybrid blue-grey infrastructures in marine and coastal areas. TRANSEATION

The aim of this project is to protect and restore the health of marine ecosystems by combining nature-based solutions, social participation and digitalisation.

Engineering high performance biocoatings from renewable reactive building blocks. BIORING

Development of a synthesis platform that combines bio-based, crosslinking monomers and agents to produce high performance UV-curable PU coatings with >95% biogenic content.

Biobased gears as solutions for creating an eco-friendly offshore aquaculture sector, using a multitrophic approach, and new biobased value chains. BIOGEARS

Provide the European aquaculture sector with innovative products (aquaculture ropes) and new value chains based on biodegradable or renewable materials.

This project received funding from the European Commission's Horizon 2020 research and development programme under contract number 863708

Unlocking the potential of sustainable biodegradable packaging. USABLE-PACKAGING

The aim of this project is to reduce the use of polluting packaging derived from fossil fuels by developing more sustainable alternatives from by-products and waste from the agri-food sector to meet the packaging needs of the food, beverages, pharmaceuticals and textile industries.

GAIKER is responsible for synthesising a new range of photo-reactive bio-based polyesters from hydroxylated molecules derived from coumarin to be incorporated into new bio-based and bio-degradable plastic materials and coatings for the packaging sector, with the aim of modifying their properties. It is also working on processing different formulations and manufacturing demonstrator products from the new materials to showcase new sustainable packaging concepts.

This project received funding from the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) as part of the European Commission's Horizon 2020 research and development programme under contract number 836884.

Novel lignocellulose fractionation process for high purity lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose valorisation into added value products. FRACTION

The aim of this project is to validate and demonstrate the technical, economic and environmental viability of a new lignocellulosic waste biomass biorefinery scheme. GAIKER is working on synthesising bio-polyesters from the bio-based monomers obtained from an innovative biomass fractionation and transformation process, to develop new coatings, adhesives and more sustainable plastic materials for various industrial sectors.

This project received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, under contract number 101023202.

Validation of a pilot industrial process to manufacture isosorbide bis(methyl carbonate). VIPRISCAR

The aim of this project is to sustainably, efficiently and competitively manufacture the monomer (isosorbide bis(methyl carbonate) (IBMC) on a large scale and demonstrate its usefulness and added value to the market.

GAIKER is responsible for modifying and functionalising the starting monomer (IBMC derived from isosorbide from renewable sources) to synthesise, formulate and validate new, more sustainable aqueous industrial polyurethane coatings.

This project received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, under contract number 790440. The JU is supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the Bio-Based Industries Consortium.

High performance polyhydroxyalkanoates-based packaging to minimise food waste. YPACK

Scale up production and commercially validate two innovative food packaging solutions based on PHBV, a type of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bio-based polymer – a fully compostable food contact film and tray. This new packaging will use by-products from the food industry (cheese whey and almond shells), ensure biodegradability and reduce food waste as part of the EU's circular economy strategy.

GAIKER was responsible for developing and validating 100% biodegradable packaging on a pilot plant scale by means of thermoforming and flow pack, with improved properties.

Flow pack: applying a CNC coating and subsequent lamination to form the multilayer flow pack film.
Tray: developing a monolayer and multilayer film to form a tray

This project received funding from the European Commission's Horizon 2020 research and development programme under contract number 773872

Production of bioplastics for the circular economy: application in the agricultural sector. BIOPLAST

The aim of BIOPLAST is to promote the circular economy in the agricultural sector by producing bio-based polymers from agricultural crop waste and subsequently producing bioplastics to be used to manufacture new products for the agricultural sector, as well as developing new ways of recovering and treating these bioplastics (methanisation, composting) with a return to the soil of residual biomasses (digestate, compost).

Contact:

Leire Urbina

Project Manager

Bio-based polymers and composites

Projects

Contact:

Leire Urbina

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