EcoCortec: promoting green environmental sustainable packaging

Green Solutions Packaging Solutions

EcoCortec has been chosen as a partner in a €1.95 million European Biocompack project.

This innovative project is supported by the Interreg Central Europe Programme, funded under the European Regional Development Fund. EcoCortec, a manufacturer of environmentally safe packaging materials for corrosion protection, is one of the 10 international partners.

The main goal of Biocompack is to prevent the hazardous environmental impact of conventional plastic materials discarded in the environment, as well as to promote sustainability and innovative technologies. The project aims at providing stronger links between research and development institutions and companies in the area of paper/plastic packaging solutions, with the goal of introducing verified biodegradable materials in paper and cardboard packaging.

Paper and cardboard represents more than 41% of packaging waste generated by weight in the EU (about 32.2 million tons: 2013 figures). The appearance of microplastics in recycled paper secondary materials and compost is also becoming a major concern. There is a high potential for mobilising synergies between business and research in the area of combined paper-bioplastics packaging design, production, and recycling.

Biocompack foresees an innovative cross sectoral approach and the involvement of clusters, branch organisations, and stakeholders that will allow greater focus on regional economic specialisations and accelerated technology transfer. The Project Partners will establish a Transnational Biocomposite Packaging Centre as a virtual research platform that brings together cross sectoral capacities in paper and bioplastics, linked with regional innovation systems and the European Enterprise Network.

EcoCortec will be involved in the development of the audit tool and the business support service concerning tool testing, feedback on usefulness, and quality of the tools. The company will also participate in pilot actions, support in the preparation of case studies, and engage in conferences. Through the project EcoCortec will be able to test the new cross sectoral business support service and deliver first hand feedback to the other project partners.

EcoCortec has been promoting safe, environmentally sustainable packaging solutions for over a decade. By utilising Cortec Corporation’s patented VpCI Technology, the plant manufactures films, papers, and bags from renewable, bio based materials.