The PRESERVE Project, an innovative Horizon 2020 initiative, hosted its final event on 12 December as a side gathering to the European Bioplastics Conference. This milestone event highlighted the project’s groundbreaking achievements, pioneering breakthroughs, and a forward-looking roadmap for the future of sustainable packaging.
The day began with a welcome address by Dr. Aldo R. Reyes, the Project Coordinator, setting the stage for an engaging program. The first session spotlighted notable project outcomes, including advancements in biobased oxygen barriers presented by Kristina Eißenberger (Albstadt-Sigmaringen University), next-generation PHA-based food packaging innovations shared by Willem Uyttendaele (Centexbel), and biotechnological strategies for recycling biodegradable materials discussed by Steven Verstichel (Normec OWS). Nicolò Fortunati (Planet Bioplastics) addressed the challenges of separating and recycling multilayer films, while Ana Guerra (Südpack) explored the upscaling of biobased solutions. Carla Bartolomé and Matteo Maccanti (ITENE/NTT) concluded the session with a presentation on the sustainability and circularity of biobased packaging, followed by a lively Q&A session.
A significant portion of the event was dedicated to unveiling the PRESERVE 2030 Innovation Roadmap, presented by Estela López-Hermoso (EUBP). Its implications were further explored in a roundtable discussion with Teresa Calvo (Itene) and Daniele Spinelli (NTT). Industry leaders, including Marc Vetterli (V-ZUG), Marc Meijers (DenimX), and Matthias Schrägle (Südpack), joined the discussion to outline the next steps for advancing sustainable packaging.
Updates from related Horizon 2020 projects, including UpPE-T, UPLIFT, BioRadar, and Bio4Human, showcased collaborative progress in biobased technologies, further enriching the event.
Reflecting on the project, Dr. Aldo Reyes remarked, “The PRESERVE Project has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in sustainable packaging. This final event not only celebrates our collective achievements but also sets a cornerstone for the study of biobased packaging designs and technologies, serving as a crucial step toward shaping the future of the industry together.”
The day concluded with a networking session, fostering collaboration and exploring opportunities to implement the solutions presented during the event.
