Mission
To boost the competitiveness of biopolymers developed in Spain through collaboration in innovation, training, dissemination and exploitation of results.
The objective is to achieve a use of polymers from renewable sources of more than 5% in Spain by 2030. Therefore, the success of the MARFIL Network mission will strongly contribute to reducing dependence on oil, valorising agricultural by-products (contributing to reducing the depopulation of rural areas) and reducing the amount of waste that is deposited in landfills without any valorisation. The MARFIL Network aims to provide an optimal work environment to train and develop the best professionals in order to, in this way, increase technological capacity. In addition, the network, due to technical training actions, as well as dissemination, aims to attract the talent of highly qualified research personnel.
Vision
Sustainable and scalable treatments of agro-industrial biomass for the production of biopolymers, additives and reinforcements.
Increasing their properties and processing capacity through new bioplastic polymerization routes.
Increased compostability and/or recyclability.
The initial focus will be on increasing the use of materials from renewable sources in three main sectors: Transport and Logistics, Packaging and Agriculture and Fishing.
All of them represent a GDP of more than 15% in Spain and have important challenges in the short and medium term, such as sustainable, active and intelligent packaging and organic and sustainable agriculture, which will require the use of new materials with a lower environmental impact and that can be managed efficiently and safely at the end of their useful life.
However, the results of the MARFIL NETWORK will be extrapolated to other sectors that consume plastic (construction, electrical-electronic, textile, furniture, etc.) and with high added value (health, biotechnology, aeronautics-aerospace, etc.).
Challenges
The network has defined 3 technical challenges in line with the vision, mission and context of the sector:
Challenge 1
Routes for the production of biopolymers, additives and reinforcements for use in the plastics industry in sectors such as packaging, agriculture/fishing and transport.
Challenge 2
Improve the technical and processability properties of biopolymers and natural additives.
Challenge 3
Reduce the environmental impact in its life cycle through eco-design and end-of-life tools. In this way, the aim is to increase recyclability and/or biodegradation, mainly under “home compost” conditions and biodegradation in soil.
Furthermore, given its cross-cutting impact on the 3 challenges, the MARFIL network will always take into account the improvement of current economic viability, mainly by reducing raw material costs and reducing the complexity and consumption of related processes (extraction, fermentation, concentration, purification, polymerization, functionalization, etc.).
Finally, given the complementarity of the centers of the group, we will contribute collaboratively in various aspects related to each established challenge to offer added value with respect to the current situation associated with each of them.
Finally, given the complementarity of the centers of the group, we will contribute collaboratively in various aspects related to each established challenge to offer added value with respect to the current situation associated with each of them.
Targets
The MARFIL Strategic Plan is represented in a series of Strategic ObjectivesTarget 1 - Create a leading R&D network in the development of biopolymers from agro-industrial biomasses
- Combine complementary capabilities from the identification of biomasses to the manufacture of biopolymers optimized for different uses.
- Drive R&D and generate new knowledge about the routes/strategies for producing biopolymers with the greatest potential and technical-economic viability.
- Create a space to transfer knowledge and solutions to the bioplastics industry.
Target 2 - Strengthen the capacities of MARFIL centres through training actions, incorporation of resources, collaboration with agents in the sector and the applied industry.
Target 3 - To give visibility to the MARFIL Network at national and international level in order to:
- Accelerate the arrival of MARFIL applied research to the packaging, agriculture, transport and logistics industry.
- Promote public funding for green and circular economy issues.
- Drive the participation of Spanish companies in national and international projects.
Target 4 - Maximize dissemination and raise social awareness about the application and use of bioplastics.
Results
- 1. Synthesis of short-chain and medium-chain microbial polyesters (PHA) from agro-food waste.
- 2. New functionalized natural fibers/fillers and functional additives to improve the properties
and processability of bioplastics. - 3. Polymers and copolymers from renewable, biodegradable and/or compostable sources.
- 4. Biopolymers with impact resistance.
- 5. Redesigned biopolymers and biocomposites with properties comparable to virgin ones.
- 6. Biopolymers with high resistance to continuous temperatures and under load.
- 7. New processes for mixing and functionalization of additives and biopolymers.
- 8. Improved tensile strength and durability in biocomposites while maintaining their biodegradability.
- 9. Thermo-reversible adhesives.
- 10. High mechanical and chemical resistance coatings.
- 11. Thermoplastic composites with continuous fibers with high mechanical and thermal resistance.
- 12. Hydrolysis resistance and retention of mechanical properties of pre-pregs and infusion formulations.
- 13. Rotomolded or extruded parts for marine applications.
- 14. Demonstrators based on additive manufacturing technologies for the furniture sector.
- 15 Demonstrators based on injected, foamed or blown parts for the agricultural, packaging and/or logistics/transport sectors.
- 16. Elimination of volatile organic compounds.
- 17. Polymer type recognition efficiency in automatic separation of bioplastics.
- 18. Adhesive removal from multilayer films.
- 19. New specific enzymes for the biological degradation of bioplastics.
- 20. Chemical recycling of bioplastics.
Economic impact
- Cost reduction. The training acquired by the MARFIL Network throughout the biopolymer value chain will allow reducing the associated costs at various stages of the biopolymer life cycle:
(1) Similar production costs to their petrochemical equivalents, through the correct selection and treatment of the different agro-industrial by-products and biomasses and the extraction and purification of the monomers obtained;
(2) Increase in the production capacity of bioplastics,
(3) Reduction in the economic cost of end-of-life management of biopolymers. - Added value. The R&D activities proposed in the PTs will allow the economic value of biopolymers to be increased thanks to their improved technical properties.
- Reduction in dependence on oil. The grouping will allow the development of real alternatives to polymers from non-renewable sources. The development of biopolymers from agro-industrial biomass, where Spain has a high potential, and therefore, will contribute to reducing Spain's dependence on crude oil imports.
- Increasing the production of bio-based plastic products. Product packaging companies, farmers and transport and logistics companies, among others, will benefit from the introduction of a new family of sustainable materials.
- Maintaining the plastics industry. The plastics sector has an important weight at a European level, therefore, it is important to maintain and promote it. Biopolymers offer an alternative to the growing standards and regulations that limit their use with the consequent impact on the industry and the economy of the sector.
Social Impact
- Development of a favourable environment with network actions that facilitate the development of incentive policies, harmonisation of standards and development of a favourable regulatory framework, mainly at national and regional level, but also at European level.
- Dynamising effect of R&D&I in biopolymers, involving the business sector linked to the bioeconomy. Greater impact is expected at a national level during the first years, and international expansion with the increase in the Network's activity.
- Creation and attraction of qualified employment thanks to the creation of spin-offs, diversification of activities, new lines of business with companies and creation of new value chains, among others. Furthermore, the results and actions promoted by the network will offer an alternative to the growing regulations and measures limiting plastic, an industry that employs +1.5 million people in Europe3.
- Improving educational content in biopolymers: the centers of the network will be involved in the programming and structuring of university degrees/masters related to Cervera Technology, with the aim of alleviating the "gaps" between academia and industry.
- Promoting equality and disability measures with exemplary measures in gender equality and integration of functional diversity.
- Improving social perception and raising awareness of the benefits of biopolymers and the use of agro-industrial by-products through actions in section D4.
- Increasing information and experience in biopolymers, promoting specific training for the Public Administration, companies and/or the general public.
- Contributions to public finances and welfare. The maintenance and growth of the plastics industry has a major impact on public finances and well-being, since it contributed €28.7 billion at European level in 2019.
