SETAC Europe 35th Annual Meeting | 11 – 15 May 2025, Vienna – Austria
We are proud to share that the GREEN-LOOP Project was presented at the SETAC Europe 35th Annual Meeting, held under the theme “Innovation for Tomorrow: Progress in Safe and Sustainable Concepts.”
The event brought together leading experts and initiatives committed to advancing the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) approach. GREEN-LOOP contributed to this dialogue by showcasing how innovative bio-based materials and circular value chains can offer viable alternatives to fossil-based resources—supporting safer, more sustainable manufacturing practices.
Our participation highlighted GREEN-LOOP’s work in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), circular design, and the bioeconomy, aligning with SETAC’s focus on integrating safety, sustainability, and innovation, through a poster presentation by Carlos Bernárdez Casás from AIMEN.
We are excited to continue engaging with the scientific community and stakeholders to accelerate the transition toward a greener, low-impact future.
As anticipated, the work develops a LCA of innovative bio-based materials to replace petroleum-based ones, aiming to reduce environmental impact across industries via three bio-value chains and full lifecycle analysis.
The GREEN-LOOP Project is an ambitious initiative aimed at promoting a more sustainable manufacturing system through the development of innovative bio-based materials designed to replace conventional petroleum-based ones.
Central to this objective is the exploration and implementation of three distinct bio-value chains (VCs), each tailored to meet critical industrial needs while reducing environmental impact.
1) The first value chain focuses on the creation of a novel bio-rubber, enhanced with lignin additives sourced from the paper industry. This material is being developed for use in multifunctional construction panels, offering improved flame retardancy and vibration-damping capabilities. These properties aim to meet the increasing demand for high-performance, sustainable building materials within the construction sector.
2) The second value chain addresses the packaging industry, specifically targeting the food and beverage sector. Here, the project is developing biodegradable bioplastics for use in bottle closures. The intended application includes closures for olive oil and limoncello bottles, presenting an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic components while maintaining functionality and safety standards required in food packaging.
3) The third and final value chain concentrates on wood composites, targeting their application across various industrial sectors.
These composites, composed of bio-based materials, are designed to replace conventional materials in the production of mechanical components, such as sliding bearings and other industrial parts. By improving their mechanical, physical, and chemical properties, these bio-based alternatives are intended to be viable substitutes that can match or exceed the performance of traditional composites.
A core aspect of the GREEN-LOOP Project is its commitment to ensuring the environmental sustainability of the materials it develops. To support this, a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is carried out, analysing environmental impacts from the extraction of raw materials through to end-of-life, including recyclability and waste reduction. This LCA approach provides a thorough understanding of the ecological footprint of the materials, reinforcing the project’s goal of minimizing environmental harm.
The project’s findings suggest that the new bio-based materials offer competitive mechanical performance while significantly lowering environmental impact, supporting the transition toward greener manufacturing processes. These materials also align with current trends in consumer preferences and regulatory pressures that emphasize sustainability and circular economy principles.
Ultimately, the GREEN-LOOP Project not only introduces viable bio-based alternatives for key industrial applications but also demonstrates their economic and environmental benefits. The initiative represents a significant step toward widespread adoption of sustainable materials across industries, paving the way for a resilient, low-impact future built on innovation and circular resource use.