Aimplas’ Bioprocess project is looking for innovative ideas to enhance the barrier and mechanical properties of bioplastics. The primary goal is to develop flexible films mainly for personal, household hygiene, cosmetics, and food packaging. Aimplas has identified natural polymer films suitable for cosmetics and food packaging. This discovery has brought the company closer to its mission and focus.
The Bioprocess project includes Potato Bioplastics and Gaviplas. Potato Bioplastics is a manufacturer of bioplastics made from renewable sources, and Gaviplas is a producer of strong, flexible films. This project is funded by the Valencian Institute of Competitiveness and Innovation (IVACE+i) through the European Regional Development Fund.
Alicia Naderpour, a packaging researcher at Aimplas, emphasized the use of bioplastics in packaging lines. Bioplastics serve as an alternative to traditional plastics, as food residues tend to stick to the packaging, complicating the recycling process. To support the Bioprocess project, Aimplas applies Machine Direction Orientation (MDO) extrusion technology to produce a compostable, flexible, and biodegradable film.
Alicia said, “In Bioprocess, we have developed a one-step simplified method for producing films from eco-friendly, sustainable polymers, as it offers notable advantages. The benefits include improved sustainability, product quality, preservation, and the efficiency of maintaining the natural properties of the materials.”
The goal is to enhance the properties and quality of bioplastics by aligning polymer chains for packaging applications without compromising their compostability and biodegradability. Using bioplastics in these applications allows organic recovery of packaging waste to produce high-quality compost.
Aimplas has developed new formulations of sustainable polymers, such as animal, plant, and polysaccharide proteins. These formulations are suitable for studying changes in their barrier and mechanical properties when processed through MDO extrusion and non-oriented sheet extrusion. The naturally sourced materials come from sources like corn, potato starch, proteins, gelatin, and algae. Most of these materials are derived from market by-products, which can add value to these affordable resources. These well-designed natural polymer films by Aimplas are a boon for cosmetics and food packaging.
Rosa Gonzalez, the lead researcher of the packaging cluster at Aimplas, stated, “The benefit of chemically unmodified natural polymers is strengthening and owning these applications as they are relevant and true to the plastic products and manufacturing packaging that are prohibited under the Single-use plastic directive.”
26 January 2026
26 January 2026
23 January 2026
23 January 2026