Materials and technologies – November 2025
LionGlass in view for low-carbon glass consumer packaging
Verallia is partnering with Penn State University to scale up the use of LionGlass, a new family of glass with a lower carbon footprint for use in food and beverage packaging.
Confidence in Research report: researcher of the future
Advances in Artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology and other frontier fields are reshaping how research is funded, conducted, and evaluated. The 2025 Confidence in Research report (6.35 MB) published by Elsevier captures how more than 3,200 researchers across 113 countries are adapting to these rapid changes.
UPCYCLE project transforms ‘non-recyclable’ plastics into better material
AIMPLAS is participating in the new Horizon Europe funded project UPCYCLE that aims to convert non-recyclable plastics and waste into highly recyclable and non-persistent packaging materials. The project is coordinated by Aalborg University.
Spray-coated bioplastics offer scalable, sustainable alternative to plastic packaging
Using a novel spray-coating technique, a team at the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech has demonstrated that biodegradable bioplastics can form durable, protective films on paper.
Patent analysis sheds light on biobased materials development trends
Appleyard Lees has published their 5th annual ‘Inside Green Innovation” report, charting technologic developments based on patent analysis. Areas covered are materials (including biodegradable & compostable materials), sustainable chemical feedstocks and decarbonisation of key industries.
An edible fungus could make paper, fabric liquid-proof
ACS reports on a University of Maine study showing a way to waterproof materials using edible fungus as an alternative to single-use plastic wrap and paper cup coatings, Along with fibres made from wood, the fungus produced a layer that blocks water, oil and grease absorption. In a proof-of-concept study published in Langmuir (abstract), the impervious film grew on common materials such as paper, revealing its potential to replace plastic coatings with nature-grown materials.
Veni Vidi Catalyzi: circular plastics design from the start at molecular level
A Utrecht University scientist has been awarded a Vidi grant for his research on innovative catalysts that give precise control over how most plastics are built at the molecular level. By incorporating just enough CO2 as special ‘weak links’ within the polyolefin chains, materials can retain PE-like properties while gaining better Backend-processing properties.
MSU packaging researchers develop easier-to-recycle multilayer plastics
MSU researchers have developed scalable polyester-based multilayer films that match commercial packaging performance and can be recycled mechanically or chemically.
Biobased autonomy Europe may come true
Europe aims to boost its autonomy and competitiveness while reducing its reliance on fossil-based resources. A study (1.28 MB) from the nova-Institute confirms that the EU has the biomass resources necessary to make this come true, without compromising the food supply.
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