ECOPRO

This project addresses the challenge of transitioning to a place-based, resource efficient, circular economy through enabling the replacement of synthetic colourants with bio-based, degradable colourants. 

Current synthetic colourants in polymer/plastic products are based on fossil resources, non-biodegradable, and potentially toxic when they are released into the environment during recycling or composting processes and at present, there are no such eco-friendly colourants in plastic products throughout the NWE region. However, there is also a clear demand by industry for bio-based and biodegradable colourants. Through the development of an application-specific colour-masterbatch designed in line with industry specific formulations, full end of life and life cycle assessment (LCA), we will deliver the prototype technical development and commercial proof needed to enable EU businesses to invest in natural eco-friendly colourants. 

Our project partners have collaborated before in the area of bio-based colourants and represent experts in the field. Our geographic spread allows us to ensure that European best practices are employed, that the most sustainable technologies and implementation practices are widely disseminated, promotes scalability and replicability of solutions through partners TUS, DeltaQ, AVANS and WWU supports to policy alignment, and provides access to additional funding opportunities.

Objective

The project seeks to promote the transition to a circular and resource-efficient economy, by demonstrating the application of biodegradable colourants in industry-standard designed polymers through the manufacturing of a final product prototype. 

A life cycle analysis will verify the technical and commercial feasibility of the application, paving the way for full circular-economy focused productions.