Another Success for the Centre of Polymer Systems in European Projects

The Centre of Polymer Systems (CPS) has become the only Czech representative in the prestigious European project Biopackman, coordinated by the National Technical University of Athens. This significant project, involving a consortium of 19 universities and companies from across Europe, focuses on innovative solutions in the field of sustainable packaging materials.

“CPS was invited to join the project due to its expertise in material functionalization. Our main task will be to develop environmentally friendly additives for bioplastics that enhance both safety and user properties of these materials. The research activities of our center will also focus on utilizing biologically active substances derived from waste biomass, known as second-generation raw materials,” said Professor Vladimír Sedlařík, the project’s lead investigator for the Czech side.

At the heart of the project is the design of biodegradable polymer materials. A key objective is to develop compounds that leverage synergistic effects, leading to biodegradable, recyclable packaging with specific properties—such as mechanical strength, thermal stability, chemical resistance, and gas permeability. The biodegradable compounds will be developed to meet current packaging material requirements while ensuring their biodegradability.

The Biopackman project will run for four years, with Novamont, a renowned Italian company and one of Europe’s leading producers of sustainable packaging materials, as its key industrial partner.

"Being involved in this project represents a significant milestone for the Environmental Technologies group team and for the entire Centre of Polymer Systems. We believe that the research outcomes will contribute to the development of more eco-friendly and safer packaging materials, thus supporting sustainable development not only in the packaging industry," adds Professor Sedlařík.

By connecting material producers, compound manufacturers, packaging processors, and end-users, Biopackman aims to provide a comprehensive set of compounds, sustainable plastic additives, and innovative processing technologies suitable for packaging, not only in the food industry. A responsible approach to the environment, safety, and sustainability is considered at every stage of the project.