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Knowledge category: Projects

The transition of MultilAyer/multipolymer packagiNg into more sustainable multilayer/single polymer products for the fooD and phArma sectors through the deveLopment of innovative functional Adhesives

Updated on 12.04.2023

The MANDALA project presents a sustainable solution for the plastic packaging sector, which tackles three pillars: eco-design; dual functionality; and end-of-life. The project aims to find a final solution based on multilayer mono-material packaging with functionalities compared to multi-material ones and fully produced with biobased and recycled polymers in order to reach a full circularity of resources.

Acronym: MANDALA
Countries: Croatia, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain
Project website: mandalaproject.eu
Start and end date: 01.06.2019 - 31.05.2023
Budget: 4 573 892 EUR
Funding source: Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking

More information

MANDALA will develop new adhesives with dual functionality (easy to split and barrier properties) by incorporating thermoreversible covalent bonds and radiation absorbing nanoparticles, which at the same time will generate a tortuous path enhancing barrier properties that are critical for the end user. In addition, new polymer blends with increased biobased and recycled content of film layers will be developed. Their combination in a multilayer product will set the basis for new food (meat, ready-to-eat) and pharmaceutical (pill blister) packaging products.


The project will demonstrate that the delamination technology can be up-scaled and applied to reach intermediate solutions for multilayer/multi-material packaging (being biobased or not). This will help the end-of-life become more sustainable by recovering all fractions and providing clean streams for their biodegradation or recycling.

Relevance for Circular Systemic Solutions

The project aims to deliver an innovative adhesive for multilayer products that provides sustainable solutions for addressing eco-design, dual functionality and end-of-life based on biobased multilayer mono-material film packaging with functionalities that compete with existing films. A new value chain connecting the chemicals, packaging and waste management value chains will be explored.


The project sets the basis for two new consumer products, specifically flexible films. These will be used for wrapping meat and ready-to-eat foods and for making blister packs for pharmaceuticals. The project is relevant to cities and regions that are working on a Circular Systemic Solution that focuses on packaging issues and is looking for innovative biobased packaging approaches applied across sectors and value chains.

Horizon programme(s) and/or topic(s)

Programme:

  • H2020-EU.2.1.4. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Biotechnology

Topic:

  • BBI.2018.SO3.R10 - Develop bio-based packaging products that are biodegradable/ compostable and/or recyclable

Responsible organisation and contact details

Fundacion AITIIP
Contact the project

Project consortium partners

  • Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas
  • Societa Azionaria per l’Industria Chimica Italiana Sapici SPA
  • Bio-Mi Drustvo s Ogranicenom Odgovornoscu za Proizvodnju
  • Istrazivanjei Razvoj
  • Norner Research AS
  • Gaviplas
  • S.L.
  • Cadel Deinking S.L.
  • Asociacion Cluster Food+I
  • Asociacion para la Investigacion Desarrollo e Innovacion del Sector Agroalimentario - Aidisa
  • Tsatsos Georgios
  • Archa SRL
Sectors

CEAP2 key product value chain

CEAP2 key product value chain

CEAP2 key product value chain

e.g. chemicals, cosmetics, bio-based industries

including bio-based economy

Territories involved

large 500 000-200 000, medium 200 000-50 000, and small cities 50 000-5 000

large metropolitan area >1.5 million, metropolitan area 1.5 million-500 000

predominantly urban regions, intermediate and predominantly rural regions, refer to TERCET typology NUTS 3 region

Intra-territorial areas

e.g. commercial, residential, service, industrial