Press release. EU-funded PROSPER project reports major advances in bioplastic sorting and recycling
We’ve just published a press release marking 18 months since the project’s launch, summarising progress across the different research areas of PROSPER. These key achievements will lay the groundwork for the next phase of our project. Read the full press release below.
Mechanical recycling of biopolymers
By Arnau Fernandez, GCR At GCR, we have successfully completed laboratory-scale trials on the mechanical recycling of rigid fractions of PLA and biopolyester blends. This research has demonstrated that, by applying pre-processing and purification protocols to the scrap prior to extrusion, at controlled conditions, it is possible to obtain high-quality recycled pellets. The technical validation […]
Assessing user acceptance and interest in new waste management solutions for bio-based plastics
By Adrián Chacón, AIJU Technological Institute Within the framework of the PROSPER project, a preliminary study in Spain (with 438 participants) has been conducted under a task aimed at assessing user acceptance and interest in new waste management solutions for bio-based plastics. This activity seeks to collect both quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate sustainability […]
World Recycling Day
On March 18, 2026, World Recycling Day, the PROSPER project was honored to participate in the conference organized by Polyrec. Over 200 industry experts and academics joined (both in person and online) to explore the innovations and challenges in plastic recycling. PROSPER’s presentation focused on the characterization of plastic waste streams containing bioplastics from French sorting centers and composting facilities led by SUEZ. On behalf of the consortium, Adeline […]
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Today, we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science by amplifying the voices of the women behind PROSPER. In this video, some of the women in our team share their personal experiences in research, reflect on the role of women in science, and explain why stronger female representation in STEM matters. Diverse […]
Microbial recycling for bioplastics
Join us on February 3rd for the 5th expert-led online talk of the Bioplastics Recycling Cluster Talks, organised by European Bioplastics, focusing on how to set up cost-competitive sorting and schemes for bioplastics This event is part of a broader knowledge-sharing initiative bringing together three EU-funded research and innovation projects under the Circular Bio-based Europe […]
A new EU Bioeconomy Strategy has been adopted
By Roberto Ferrigno, European Bioeconomy Bureau The European Commission has officially adopted its new Bioeconomy Strategy—marking an important step toward a more competitive, climate-neutral, and resilient Europe. The updated strategy puts the spotlight on three priorities: scaling sustainable bio-based industries, deploying local and regional bioeconomies, and ensuring that Europe’s use of biological resources stays within […]
Webinar “Bioplastic recycling – Policy context, Economy & Technologies” recording & speaker presentations now available
Thank you to everyone who joined our webinar “Bioplastic Recycling – Policy Context, Economy, and Technologies,” held on 27 November 2025 and co-hosted with our sister projects MoeBIOS and ReBioCycle. We were pleased to welcome participants from industry, research, policy, and civil society who contributed to a highly engaging discussion. Both the full webinar recording […]
Addressing Persistent Plastic Pollution – The Case for Biodegradable Solutions
A recent report from BB-REG-NET | Circular Bioeconomy Working Group presents case study evidence from agriculture, forestry, and composting sectors showing that certified biodegradable plastics degrade at a pace consistent with their introduction into the environment. This prevents long-term microplastic accumulation, unlike conventional plastics, which persist indefinitely.
Scaling up Europe’s bio-based industries
The bio-based industry plays a strategic role in Europe’s transition to a sustainable and competitive economy. A recent European Investment Bank report underscores the sector’s strong potential, while highlighting key barriers to the scale-up of innovative technologies, including regulatory fragmentation and limited access to finance. Systemic change and harmonised regulation, coupled with effective financial support […]
