SmartPack

The plastics industry, more specifically flexible films and packaging, faces several worldwide challenges, resulting from the environmental impact that comes from the use of non-renewable sources and the low recyclability of some materials. These challenges came by the market demand for materials with better barrier and mechanical properties, but also that may have additional capacity, such as the case of active materials, used as antimicrobials or repellents. Additionally, there is also the need of companies to have control over their distribution chains, where the traceability and authenticity of materials is increasingly an important factor in value chains. SMART PACK’s consortium, led by Polivouga, brings together 5 other companies and 6 non-business entities from the scientific and technological system. The project intends to contribute to answer some of the current problems in the plastics industry, such as develop biodegradable materials and high performance materials for different applications, explore new recycling methods, but also create new active and intelligent solutions for the film and packaging industry. To accomplish this goals, SMART PACK is based on 4 subprojects: Agricultural Plastic Films, Food Films and Packaging, Intelligent Flexible Films and Recyclability and Eco-design. These 4 subprojects are based on 3 major axes that relate to: new high-performance materials, active and intelligent materials and sustainability. The answer to these challenges is given through the realization of 4 subprojects, strongly interconnected, where R&D activities will be carried out, which will lead to the generation of innovative products with characteristics that allow to obtain end-products with differentiating and sustainable characteristics, contributing to the investment in training and technology for the flexible films and packaging value chain in Portugal and its export potential.