GRECO is an innovative Horizon Europe project designed to address key challenges in the bioeconomy and sustainability sectors. Coordinated by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the project brings together a consortium of experts from twelve European countries working towards impactful solutions that advance the bio-based industry. GRECO develops new food packaging solutions based on bio-based, biodegradable and recyclable materials, focusing on PLA-based packaging designed to meet strict food safety standards while being easier to recycle or compost.
Food and material packaging is largely dominated by unsustainable solutions that often use materials like plastic, leading to large quantities of waste and requiring unsustainable manufacturing processes. This creates a strong need for green and sustainable packaging solutions. The EU-funded BioPackMan project will design and develop biodegradable compounds based on biodegradable polymer materials, enabling recyclable packaging with chemical resistance, thermal stability, gas permeability, and application-specific mechanical strength. Furthermore, to meet diverse packaging requirements, the project will develop compounds with tailored morphology, allowing them to meet specific needs. Finally, it will establish a complete value chain to maximise sustainability and innovation.
Coordinated by the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), the consortium brings together 19 partners from different European countries, including leading research institutions, industrial innovators, and SMEs.