VINNOVA, the Swedish Innovation Agency, granted 3.9 million SEK funding to the ProMultiFilms project (with 8.1 million SEK total project budget) — an ambitious and pioneering initiative that aims to revolutionize high-performing, fiber-based packaging. This exciting endeavor brings together distinguished industry leaders such as Stora Enso, Bioextrax, Hoting Innovations, and the Swedish state-owned research institute, RISE. Together, this formidable research and development consortium is deeply committed to addressing key challenges and driving the advancement of biobased barrier films for sustainable packaging and reducing the need for plastic-based packaging materials.

Aligned with the European strategy of phasing out single-use plastics by 2030, the main objective of the ProMultiFilms project is to develop high-performance, biobased multi-layer barrier films for fiber-based packaging. By leveraging the combined expertise and resources of the industry leaders and RISE, the project aims to generate groundbreaking knowledge and overcome technical hurdles in the production and processing of biobased barrier films. Advanced biobased barrier films will revolutionize fiber-based packaging use, for example within food industry where solid barrier properties are critical.

The collaborative efforts of the ProMultiFilms project will specifically address four key challenges within the value chain: identifying and modifying biobased raw materials, integrating innovative processes for producing multi-layered biobased high barrier films, application, and verification of films onto fiber-based packaging, and ensuring the utmost recyclability and compostability of the packaging. The ProMultiFilms project is a golden opportunity for the industry to spearhead the development of biobased barrier film and multilayer alternatives that can rival plastics in terms of both cost-effectiveness and performance. 

Effective recycling systems require contributions from all stages in the packaging value cycle. Three areas can be identified as posing the greatest challenges.

Design for Recycling
New rules and policies mandate that all packaging should be recyclable. The assessment criteria for this requirement vary among different materials and may also differ geographically. RISE has expertise in various recycling criteria and can provide support in design based on surrounding regulations and policies such as PPWR, Ecodesign, Safe and Sustainable by Design, Product Pass, Materials in Contact with Food, etc.
In our labs, we can test and evaluate recyclability based on standardized or industry-agreed methods.

However, the design of sustainable packaging is not just about recyclability. We offer support in navigating dilemmas between sometimes seemingly incompatible environmental requirements.

Collection and sorting
There's no point in designing correctly if the packaging is not sorted for recycling. Collection, primarily from households, is crucial for effective recycling and high quality of the secondary raw material.
Consumers say they want to contribute but need help and easily accessible information. RISE has knowledge of consumer behaviors and attitudes. We help you explain your packaging choices and how to communicate with consumers in accordance with the Environmental Claims Directive (Green Claim).
Collection is a critical step in maintaining traceability – and thus quality – of the material. RISE researches methods and techniques for improved traceability.

Quality of Secondary Raw Material
For recycled material to be used in new products, it must meet established quality standards. Recycling processes that ensure high quality are critical, and the techniques vary between different types of materials.
RISE's long tradition of material research means that we have advanced labs to test and evaluate most material properties. Additionally, we leverage our expertise in traceability. We also provide support and recommendations for the applications of the evaluated material.

Webinar: Is your packaging ready for the future?

Watch our webinar on the future of packaging from May 2024 with Ann Lorentzon, Anna Sjöstedt, Mattias Andersson and Hans Steijer from RISE.

The legislation for food contact materials (FCM) says that a material or packaging must not transfer their constituents to food in concentrations that can be harmful for humans. In many cases this is regulated by adhering a migration limit to specific substances. But today's methods for measuring migration, where liquid simulants are used, are developed for plastic materials. If these simulants are applied to less inert materials, such as paper and board, there is a risk that the simulant dissolves the material or that the simulant i absorbed by the material. This does not simulate the real situation when these materials are used in their intended way. Today's methods are simply not suited for measuring migration of substances from materials such as paper and board.

In this project we are developing novel simulants that are better suited at measuring migration from these less inert materials. The focus is on developing simulants that mimic moist and fatty foods.  

A better method for measuring migration from less inert materials, such as paper and board, will help the industry to show compliance with the legislation. It will also lead to safer materials in contact with food and making sure that the consumers are not exposed to unnecessary risks. The novel simulants will also be helpful in evaluating whether recycled materials are safe to use in contact with food.

Ongoing activities

In 2025, we will continue to work with the hydrogels and compare the migration of surrogate substances to the hydrogels with the migration to several different types of foods.

We are also looking at:

• Various possibilities to modify the hydrogels to also be able to estimate the migration of non-polar substances
• The possibility of measuring the migration of aluminum using the hydrogels
• Development of an emulsion gel to simulate the migration of substances into fatty foods

Without access to the right testing environments and expertise, promising innovations risk remaining in the development stage. The green transition is happening now, and companies that cannot scale up quickly risk losing their technological edge. 

With Bioeconomy Arena, RISE offers and access to facilities, researchers and methods, from laboratory scale to pilot plant. This means an idea can be tested, verified and scaled up within the same network without the company needing to build its own infrastructure. 

This is what Bioeconomy Arena offers

A wide range of technical infrastructure

Bioeconomy Arena offers a wide range of technical infrastructure and RISE’s state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities cover a broad spectrum of disciplines. Whether you are interested in chemicals, food, materials or biofuels, we can offer comprehensive solutions for all types of development needs within the bioeconomy. 

End-to-end support for upscaling 

Through Bioeconomy Arena, RISE is a one-stop shop for transforming new ideas into scalable, effective solutions. We provide the infrastructure and expertise needed to validate and develop new bio-based processes, offering a seamless journey from concept to commercialisation. In addition to our technical expertise, we also offer knowledge in techno-economics and life cycle assessment (LCA). 

Collaborate and scale up with our experts 

Our team of experienced experts are committed to supporting your development journey. You will collaborate with researchers and engineers who will bring solid, industry-relevant knowledge and experience to every stage of the process. Scale up faster through close collaboration and access to our expertise. Together, we can overcome challenges and pave the way for success. 

How does it work? 

A collaboration begins with an initial, free meeting, during which RISE will assess your needs and suggest relevant facilities and experts. We then draw up a project plan with you, setting clear milestones from testing to a scalable solution.