SAES is primarily focused on upscaling and production of biofilm barriers for food packaging within the framework of Work Package 4 (Plastics & Bioplastics circular system development & implementation). SAES is developing a suitable formulation based on raw materials deriving from fish industry waste that acts as a barrier active coating for packaging products. The aqueous formulation includes gelatin, natural plasticizers, crosslinkers, and dispersing agents. The development and testing of new water-based lacquers are conducted in batches ranging from 1 kg to 50 kg.

Furthermore, SAES will assess the industrial feasibility and scalability of the developed coating for large-scale production. SAES will work on scaling up the preparation process of the fish-based coating using a pilot roll-to-roll coating line. The project will utilize commercial bio-based films to develop compostable packaging solutions.

The Project

The “EcoeFISHent” project is funded by the European Commission through the Horizon 2020 program and focuses on the Liguria region and northwest Italy. It is a five-year project involving 34 partners from seven countries. The project is coordinated by FILSE S.p.A, the technical entity that supports and assists the economic and social development of Liguria Region.

The main objective is to demonstrate a replicable and sustainable cluster for territorial deployment based on climate-neutral principles and circular economy concepts. The project aims to create six interconnected Circular Value Chains (CVCs) that integrate blue and green economies. These CVCs will promote the harmonization of human industrial and economic activities with marine ecosystems and protected areas.

The project aims to streamline operational flows in the fishing industry, including its industrial side-streams, and establish a climate-neutral regional cluster based on bio/blue/green/circular economy approaches. This involves the valorization of waste through pre-treatment and extraction of bio-active components, recycling of end-of-life fishing gear, and supplying various industries such as food, automotive, cosmetic, and packaging. Additionally, the project aims to provide fertilizers and biodiesel for agricultural applications.

The core concept of the project revolves around the development and deployment of innovative biomass pre-treatment and extraction technologies for the sustainable and efficient utilization of fish processing side-streams.

The project aims to obtain bio-actives and gelatine for high-value food supplements and skin care products, as well as biodegradable and compostable barrier layers for food packaging. Other fishing industry side streams will also be targeted to transform their outcomes into fertilizers, biodiesel, components for cosmetic applications, polymer-based automotive constituents, and packaging for cosmetic products.

The project adopts a symbiosis systemic approach, creating links between different industrial domains such as food supplements, cosmetics, packaging, bio-conversion products, soil improvers, and automotive. It aims to leverage the value from fishing and fish industry side-streams and co-products by identifying synergies with relevant stakeholders.