AIMPLAS Develops Cosmetic and Food Packaging from Ocean By-products

In an effort to promote eco-efficient valorization of fishing and fish industry side-streams, AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, is actively participating in the EcoeFISHent project. This project focuses on creating food and cosmetic packaging products using ocean by-products such as fish gelatine and discarded fishing nets.

The global production of fisheries is expected to reach 194 million tonnes by 2026. A significant portion of this production, nearly 20 million tonnes, is currently utilized for the production of fishmeal and fish oil. To enhance the circular economy within the fishing industry, it is crucial to develop cost-effective methods for processing residual bio-based fish side-streams to extract valuable bioactive compounds. The EcoeFISHent project aims to facilitate this by implementing systemic solutions through multilevel circular value chains.

AIMPLAS is taking on the development of innovative packaging solutions. This includes creating a barrier coating for food packaging using fish gelatine and producing cosmetic packaging from recycled fishing nets. These initiatives are aligned with the European Strategy for Bioplastics in a Circular Economy. In the case of gelatine extracted from fish processing side-streams, AIMPLAS is working on a gas barrier biopolymer coating for packaging. This coating will be used for protecting oxidation-sensitive food products, such as meat, fish, and cheese, with the aim of replacing conventionally used fossil-based barrier polymers. The goal is to maintain the desired functionality, sustainability, and safety of the packaging. The process will ultimately be scaled up to industrial pilot production to provide compostable packaging for fish products.

AIMPLAS to Develop Cosmetic Packaging from Ocean By-products

Additionally, the EcoeFISHent project is seeking to establish a circular and sustainable solution for recycling discarded fishing nets from the fishing and aquaculture industry. AIMPLAS plans to repurpose the polyethylene recovered from these nets into cosmetic packaging using extrusion, injection molding, and lamination processing.

In summary, the EcoeFISHent project is set to transform fish by-products into high-value end products, including food supplements, cosmetics, and bio-based polymers. By connecting various circular value chains and harmonizing human industrial activities with marine ecosystems, the project aims to make a positive impact on the environment. It also plans to develop a program for the protection of marine ecosystems by collecting, recovering, and recycling abandoned fishing nets, in addition to implementing sustainable fishing practices.

This initiative involves 34 partners from 7 different countries and is coordinated by FILSE spa, the Financial body for Economic Development of the Ligurian regional administration. The project is funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement ID 101036428.