UPCYCLE Reaches Its Six-Month Milestone
UPCYCLE Project aims to Transform Non-Recyclable Plastics into Circular and Non-Persistent Packaging Solutions
Funded by Horizon Europe under the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA), project number 101178389, the UPCYCLE project is developing novel circular value chains to transform non-recyclable plastic waste into highly recyclable and non-persistent packaging solutions.
UPCYCLE officially started on the 1st of September 2025 and brings together 19 partners from 12 countries, coordinated by Aalborg University (AAU), Denmark.
News
UPCYCLE FIRST INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLE
On 24 February 2026, the UPCYCLE project held its first Industry Roundtable in Gent, Belgium, bringing together representatives from industry, research, and public authorities to discuss the future of bio-upcycling and sustainable packaging innovation.
Hosted by project partner PACK4FOOD, the event combined an expert policy overview on the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) with an interactive roundtable discussion. Participants exchanged perspectives on regulatory developments, innovation needs, and opportunities to integrate bioupcycled materials into future value chains.
UPCYCLE PRESENTED AT THE IX INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON BIOPOLYMERS AND SUSTAINABLE COMPOSITES
The UPCYCLE project was presented at the IX International Seminar on Biopolymers and Sustainable Composites, held on 4–5 March 2026 in Valencia, Spain. The event was organised by project partner AIMPLAS – Plastics Technology Centre and brought together more than 150 experts from research, industry, and innovation communitiesto discuss advances in sustainable materials and circular solutions for plastics.
During the seminar, UPCYCLE highlighted its work in transforming plastic waste into high-value circular materials, contributing to the development of more sustainable value chains for plastics and packaging.
UPCYCLE AT ECO CHEMICAL SOLUTIONS, VALENCIA
The UPCYCLE project was presented at the ECO Chemical Solutions (ECHS) event, held on 11–13 November 2025 in Valencia, Spain and organised by QUIMACOVA. The event gathered more than 40 companies from the chemical sector of the Valencian Community, many with strong international presence.
During the event, AIMPLAS, a key UPCYCLE partner, showcased the project’s innovative approach to transforming non-recyclable mixed plastic waste into next-generation recyclable and more biodegradable packaging materials, highlighting UPCYCLE’s contribution to sustainable polymer technologies.
Clustering activities
UPCYCLE PRESENTED AT REDYSIGN WORKSHOP ON SUSTAINABLE MEAT PACKAGING
The UPCYCLE project was presented during the Workshop on Innovation in Sustainable Meat Packaging, held on 3 March 2026 at IRTA Torre Marimon in Catalonia, Spain, within the framework of the REDYSIGN project General Assembly. The event brought together around 30 stakeholders from across the meat and packaging value chain to explore new solutions for more sustainable food packaging.
During the workshop, UPCYCLE partner EROSKI introduced the project’s work on transforming plastic waste into high-value circular materials, contributing to the development of more sustainable and circular packaging systems.
UPCYCLE AT THE BERLIN CLUSTERING EVENT ON SUSTAINABLE BIOPLASTIC PACKAGING
The UPCYCLE project took part in an exclusive Horizon Europe clustering event on sustainable and safe-by-design bioplastic packaging, held on 1 December in Berlin, Germany. The event brought together EU-funded projects, researchers, industry innovators, and packaging experts to exchange insights on the future of circular packaging solutions.
During the session, UPCYCLE presented its approach to transforming non-recyclable plastic waste into highly recyclable and more biodegradable packaging materials, contributing to the development of new circular value chains for Europe’s packaging sector.
UPCYCLE AT THE “TOUCH BASE WITH R&I PROJECTS”
The UPCYCLE project was presented on 27 January 2026 during the Touch Base with R&I Projects webinar series organised by European Bioplastics (EUBP). The online session brought together members of the bioplastics community, industry representatives, and research organisations to explore innovative solutions for sustainable plastics.
During the webinar, project coordinator Cristiano Varrone (Aalborg University) introduced UPCYCLE’s vision and highlighted the project’s work on transforming non-recyclable plastic waste into sustainable packaging materialsthrough its Sustainable Plastic Biorefinery approach.
Upcoming events
JOIN UPCYCLE AT THE BIOSUPPACK FINAL EVENT
26 March 2026
12:00–15:00 (GMT-5)
Online Event
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