BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE Celebrates a Successful 1st Year.

During the General Assembly, Dr Carly Fletcher presented work on understanding the current EU approach to safety with respect to bio-based plastic products.

To mark the completion of its first year, project partners of BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE took part in a virtual, socially-distanced General Assembly – reducing the collective carbon footprint associated with travelling to the event. Across two days (9 / 10 September), over sixty participants from Europe and SE-Asia came together to present the achievements of the project so far.

The BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE project aims to develop and implement sustainability-based solutions for bio-based plastic production. Over the past twelve months, 22 partners across the diverse BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE consortium have been working on a range of aspects needed to support a societal transformation towards a circular economy through the use of bio-based plastics. Specifically, we are targeting common plastic products such as beach toys, food packaging (yoghurt pots and the films used to cover ready meals), reusable plastic “picnic” cutlery and agricultural products. Research activities include innovative product design, environmental and economic assessments, business models and end-of-life management options (e.g. composting, recycling, etc.).

Across two days (9 / 10 Sept), over sixty participants from Europe and SE-Asia came together to present the achievements of the project so far.

How did Manchester Met contribute to the event?

Here, at Manchester Metropolitan University and PrintCity, we are leading research into the safe use and end-of-life management of bio-based products. Recognising the importance of product safety when encouraging market uptake, we are developing a Safety Protocol for the production, use and waste management of bio-based products. During the General Assembly, Dr Carly Fletcher presented work on understanding the current EU approach to safety with respect to bio-based plastic products.

Why is it important?

This initial exploration of European regulations and standards will form the basis from which a Safety Protocol will be developed. Over the next three years, we will be enlisting the help of stakeholders through a series of workshops. Through these workshops, we intend to explore the additional factors that should be considered when replacing traditional plastics with bio-based materials in products such as toys and food packaging. This is a critical part of the overall BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE project as the uptake and use of bio-based plastics will not succeed unless consumers, manufacturers and regulators are convinced that the products are safe, both in terms of human health and environmental safety.

The BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE project aims to develop and implement sustainability-based solutions for bio-based plastic production.
The BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE project aims to develop and implement sustainability-based solutions for bio-based plastic production.

What does the future hold?

The general assembly also allowed for project partners to discuss the steps needed to make the next three years just as successful as the first. In making this project successful, we believe that BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE can make a real contribution to the plastics value chain and contribute to Europe’s transition to the circular economy.

And that is just the beginning, BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE is one of many ongoing projects that research staff at PrintCity are involved with, all of which align with Circular Economy principles.

Across an interdisciplinary team of researchers, technicians and academic staff, PrintCity are involved in projects that are seeking to educate waste citizens of the future (Erasmus+), turn waste from single-use plastics into 3D-printing filament (TRANSFORM-CE), recycle construction waste through the 3D printing of concrete into street furniture (CIRMAP) and promote the use of repair cafes to prolong the lifespan of consumer electronics (SHAREPAIR).

BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 860407.

To find out more visit: https://bioplasticseurope.eu/.

BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE Celebrates a Successful 1st Year. - The PrintCity Blog - Manchester Metropolitan University

Get in touch

If you're interested in working with us, or have questions about studying with us please get in contact.

 Telephone: 0161 247 6464

 Email: printcity@mmu.ac.uk

 Twitter: PrintCityMMU

    Data Protection

    The Manchester Metropolitan University (‘the University’) is the Data Controller for the personal data you disclose via this form. We will use your personal data in order to manage your enquiry. If you have consented to receive our marketing communications we will also use your personal data to send you targeted information about PrintCity and benefits which we think will be of interest. You can withdraw your consent to receiving any, or all, of the above communications at any point by emailing manmetuni@mmu.ac.uk. For further information about us, how we process your personal data and your rights, please view our privacy notice.

    Related Blog Articles

    From Water Bottles to Key Rings: Students Get Creative with CAD at PrintCity!

    Blog written by student ambassadors: Brijesh Gurav, Swetha Subramanian, Joel Tatarek-Gintowt and Oliver Sargeant We welcomed 17 kids from Alder Community High school to PrintCity as part of our outreach …

    Visit from St. Peters RC High School, Manchester

    We had the pleasure of welcoming 14 pupils in Year 8 from St. Peter’s RC High School in Manchester as part of our Widening Participation outreach programme. Many thanks to …

    A tale of two cities

    Article written by student ambassadors: Callum Baxter, Swetha Subramanian, Brijesh Gurav and Oliver Sargeant We had the pleasure of entertaining a curious group of Salford City Academy pupils in conjunction …

    Meta Quest 2. Yours. To keep. Forever.

    The last two years have seen dramatic growth in virtual reality applications across many industrial sectors, from retail to tourism, training, gaming and prototyping ideas for customers. A report by …

    Student visit to Manchester Institute of Sport

    Our students recently enjoyed a trip to visit the team over at the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport to see how they could use acquired data from equipment that …

    Adventures in Additive – Kazakhstan teacher reflects on his PrintCity internship.

    My name is Asset Rakishev, and I’m from Kazakhstan. I am a teacher at Karagandy Technical University, which is also the same university where I graduated, in the field of …

    Build-a-Bear 2.0: PrintCity host Ingenious Outreach event with Alder Community High School

    After a successful visit from Alder Community High School in April, they returned for another visit with their year 9 students. As student ambassadors, we played a more active role …

    Opening the toolbox: PrintCity delivers an introduction to digital tools with Fusion 360

    On 13th May we were joined by the year 10s of Our Lady’s RC High School at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Print City. The year group were given a tour by …

    Putting the CAD in Oasis aCADemy

    Blog post written by Student Ambassadors Oliver, Chloe, Rhea and Bosco On 1st April at PrintCity, we had the chance to host 24 students from Year 9 and 10 from …

    PrintCity collaborates with GM Higher and 4wardFutures to inspire students

    PrintCity hosted 39 high school pupils last Friday for an exciting introduction to all things additive manufacturing, sustainability and circular economy. The visit was part of a collaborative event with …