FUNKIFIBRE

CEREAL WASTE VALORISATION THROUGH DEVELOPMENT OF FUNCTIONAL KEY FIBRES TO INNOVATE IN FIBRE PACKAGING MATERIALS

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Cereal waste biomass is a potential source of valuable compounds such as bio-based fibres that can be used in new potential applications. This is the case of the microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) which is a novel type of cellulose with nano-scale dimensions and very interesting properties for the development of composite materials due to its high strength and stiffness combined with its low weight, biodegradability and renewability. One of the main objectives of the FUNKIFIBRE project is to obtain MFC from cereal residues coming out from the manufacturing of oat-based food products which contain important cellulose contents. Another main objective of the project is to modify the MFC to make it suitable for the development of plastic composites. The final goal is to obtain new materials for packaging applications achieving better mechanical and barrier properties. This will make possible the generation of lighter packages and the improvement of limited properties of some bio-based and biodegradable plastics. FUNKIFIBRE will work on the optimization of the technological processes needed to transform the current cereal waste into a valuable product. The achievement of this result will impact in the cereal SMEs since agricultural wastes have become an environmental and economic problem producing economic losses due to extra costs for the management. In addition, the development of improved renewable and biodegradable packages will impact on the plastic and packaging SMEs since bio-based materials are seen as a growing alternative by the European consumers to conventional packaging plastics which currently generate over 5 million tons of landfilled plastics. FUNKIFIBRE involves a consortium of companies and research organizations with combines commercial and technical expertise, a broad coverage of European countries and markets and a holistic vision all along the value chain. This will allow us to reach technical and marketing objectives in the speed to market required by industry.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Scientists are incorporating microfibrillated cellulose extracted from cereal waste into low-weight, biodegradable and renewable packaging that boasts superior mechanical and barrier properties and a small environmental footprint.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

In Europe, over 35 % of cereal production is wasted, and conventional packaging generates over 5 million tonnes of landfilled plastics every year. It may be possible to reduce cereal and packaging waste streams by exploring useful and eco-friendly applications.

The EU-funded http://www.funkifibre.eu/ (FUNKIFIBRE) project aims to extract key fibres from oat waste for reinforcing plastic packaging materials. This will create superior and more sustainable packaging materials.

Project partners selected two main oat waste streams and developed methods to extract and modify key microfibrillated fibres. They optimised chemical methods that render the fibres compatible with existing plastic composites, and further efforts will focus on making manufacturing more economically viable.

Researchers and companies involved in the project will develop and characterise two types of traditional plastics packages to identify which of these would be most suited to the FUNKIFIBRE final application. The project is now set to migrate from pilot studies to large industrial-scale ones.

Ultimately, FUNKIFIBRE will help enhance consumer awareness, driving the purchase of products packaged in a more sustainable and environmentally responsible way. This shift in conventional methods will have an economic impact on the cereal and packaging industries, and, more importantly, aid in alleviating environmental damage.