BL1-7 EBRA

The aim of the EBRA project is to provide materials in the sense of ‘unmodified, natural polymers’ for disposable tableware and packaging that come from domestic sources, are compostable and can be processed on existing equipment.

Agricultural residues from sugar production, pea and potato processing as well as unmodified, natural polymers such as starch and pectin should be used as raw materials. All residues and raw materials used in the material should be biodegradable and compostable under defined conditions and be authorised for food contact. In the case of the agricultural residues and the natural polymers starch and beet pectin to be used, this is the case. The proportion of beet pulp and other agricultural residues in the product should be as high as possible.

Specific requirements include mechanical stability and water resistance under defined conditions. Two strategies are being pursued in the project to increase resistance to moisture and fats. On the one hand, water-repellent protein coatings based on anchor peptides and a functional fusion partner are being developed and enzymatic polymerisation is being used. The coatings are applied using standard processes. Degradability and compostability will be investigated during the course of the project.

Overall, the project contributes to the overarching goals of sustainability in the area of disposable products and packaging solutions and a circular bioeconomy. By creating new value chains and jobs in the relevant business areas, structural change in the fromer Rhenish Mining Area can be positively influenced and pave the way for the development of new potential.