The EicCircularBioplastics Portfolio was officially launched in October 2025. The portfolio has 6 participant projects, all funded under the EIC Pathfinder Challenge Nature-inspired alternatives for food packaging and films for agriculture.
The EIC Pathfinder is a funding programme under Horizon Europe that offers support to research teams at different levels: funding research to develop breakthrough technologies, building and generating new cutting-edge directions in science and technology, creating new opportunities for disrupting scientific fields and markets and identifying technological solutions and their scale-up; among others. Under these goals, six projects are united under the Challenge 3 – Nature Inspired Alternatives for Food Packaging and Films for Agriculture- to form the EicCircularBioplastics Portfolio.
The participant projects of the EicCircularBioplastics are:
[1] CELLAGRI – Cellulose-based mulch films with nature-inspired water-management structures for agricultural applications - GA: 101223132.
The CELLAGRI project will develop cellulose-based mulch films with passive water management for agriculture and horticulture. It combines plant-based, regenerated and bacterial cellulose with tailored biodegradable coatings that partially impregnate the film to boost tear resistance, stretchability and penetration stability and suppress mould. Nature-inspired microfluidic surface structures (e.g. leaf-like) will be created via nano/micro-imprint and validated as low-cost solutions using high-speed electron-beam curing. Atmospheric plasma tuning optimises hydrophobic/hydrophilic regions, improving water control and influencing biodegradability. A modular toolbox will enable adaptation to diverse climates and applications. The project targets real field tests and scalability via roll-to-roll production, paving the way for broadly available, bio-based, biodegradable and cost-effective films.
[2] BIO4PACK – Biodegradable bio-based bioactive packaging technology for supporting food safety – GA: 101223372.
BIO4PAK aims to replace traditional fossil‑based plastics in food packaging with materials inspired by nature - fully biodegradable, safe, and just as functional as conventional solutions. The focus of the project is to deliver a phage-based antimicrobial system to reduce food waste, increase food safety and replace plastics with biodegradable packaging. BIO4PAK introduces a smart, bio‑based packaging material created from the microbial polymer. This material naturally biodegrades and is safe for both consumers and the environment. What distinguishes BIO4PACK solution is the integration of an innovative delivery system containing a charge of viruses that selectively attack bacteria. By combining biodegradable materials with targeted biological activity, BIO4PAK will attempt to extend poultry shelf life, reduce the need for antibiotics, and prevent spoilage. The packaging will be fully compostable, fitting into circular‑economy goals and supporting the EU’s ambition to reduce fossil‑carbon plastics by 2030.
[3] BORN – Biobased thermal-resistant food packaging – GA: 101223095.
BORN aims to produce a bio-based low-cost polymer formulation that can be used to fabricate biodegradable thermal-resistant food packaging, as well as a variety of products that require resistance to high temperatures. This is a groundbreaking innovation for biodegradable and biobased polymers that can generally withstand temperatures not higher than 50-55 °C. BORN materials will be produced via safe and sustainable by design, using nature-inspired polymers and additives, leading to improved resistance to high temperatures (100 °C) and allowing for a portfolio of applications. BORN products may also be used in agriculture, for reusable consumer goods and for all applications where resistance to high temperatures is mandatory. The novel materials will be circular, biobased, biodegradable, compostable, suitable for food contact, recyclable, as well as of low cost. The proposal spans the whole material lifecycle, from conception and birth of sustainable additives, to design and formulation of novel sustainable materials, followed by production of lab-scale prototypes and testing of their suitability for food packaging, up to their end of life. Biodegradation will be validated in open, controlled and extreme environments, also including hazard assessment of materials at their end-of-life.
[4] SATISPHACTION – Upcycling PHAs to innovate materials for fully sustainable food packaging – GA: 101223094.
SATISPHACTION seeks the development of groundbreaking chemicals and biotics upcycling processes. The project will leverage the use of computer-aided development processes to obtain biodegradable and renewable-based polymers with enhanced properties, leading to formulations less reliant on additivation and blending to meet the processability requirements. Such developments will be validated by the elaboration of three food packaging prototypes: thermoformed trays, flexible thermosealable sachets and bioadhesives. This novel upcycling approach will enable us to obtain plastic packaging fully biodegradable in natural soil and aquatic environments.
[5] ECOSYSTEM – Emerging eco-active materials by sustainable tools from natural renewable residues – GA: 101223300.
Sustainable production methods are essential to achieving a circular economy. In this context, the ECOSYSTEM will develop biopolyesters and bio-based ingredients using sustainable technologies for mulching films, and food and pharmaceutical packaging. This project will promote eco-friendly solutions and provide end-of-life strategies for these products. By using agrifood waste, such as berries and pruning, the project will produce cellulose, furfural, and lignin through an integrated biorefinery process. These materials will then be transformed into base components using mechanochemistry and white biotechnology. The project will also develop active ingredients with bacterial and ethylene inhibition properties, and create soil sensors. The resulting bioplastic films and packaging will be tested in relevant environments.
[6] BIO2PES – Development of bio-based and biodegradable polyethylene and polyesters for food packaging and agricultural applications – GA: 101221903.
Bio2PEs will produce bio-based and biodegradable polyethylene and polyester from biomass waste in an attempt to reduce plastic pollution. It will create prototypes of varying packaging sizes and conduct lifecycle assessments, including biodegradability tests in several EU climates. The project will enhance circularity by incorporating a self-repairing coating to increase longevity and using fluorescence technology to make products more recyclable. Synergies with other projects will enhance consumer take-up of biodegradable materials through interactive labelling, and feed data into an AI tool to make more accurate material recommendations.
This select group of projects is designed to address the entire lifecycle of products and materials through the use of available bio-based polymers, while safeguarding circularity, reusability, biodegradability and safety in compliance with stringent sanitary and regulatory requirements. The projects will advance lifecycle assessment methodologies and are expected to produce higher-performing products. Together, they aim to achieve at least TRL 4 and contribute to the transition toward a pollution-free, climate-neutral, and circular food and agriculture sector.
References:
[1] WEBSITE – Project CELLAGRI (2026)
[2] WEBSITE – Project BIO4PACK (2026)
[3] WEBSITE – Project BORN (2026)
[4] WEBSITE – Project SATISPHACTION (2026)
[5] WEBSITE – Project ECOSYSTEM (2026)
[6] WEBSITE – Project BIO2PES (2026)