On 9^th and 10^th of February 2021, the kick-off meeting of the HORIZON2020 project Bionanopolys (Open Innovation Test Bed for developing safe nano-enabled bio-based materials and polymer bio-nanocomposites for multi-functional and new advanced applications) took place. The collaborative research project is coordinated by the Spanish technology institute ITENE and 27 partners from 12 European countries are working together in an interdisciplinary way. The project duration is from January 2021 until December 2024.

Equipping biomaterials with desired functional properties and making them more interesting for industrial use is the content of the EU project. The consortium brings together European experts from research and industry who are conducting joint research to develop these materials and to establish an Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB) environment. Therefore, 14 existing pilot plants across Europe are being adapted and optimised for the processing of bio-based nano-materials. STFI is joining in with its meltblown nonwoven plant and one of its fibre nonwoven plants. The goal is to produce innovative nano-products from sustainably obtained raw materials for packaging and textiles as well as for the agricultural, cosmetics, pharmaceutical or food sectors.

A business model will be developed that allows access to the pilot plants for interested industrial partners via a Single Entry Point (SEP), even after the end of the project.

Bionanopolys will also offer external partners a wide range of services for the implementation of new bio-based nano-products, such as the development of safety protocols for the use of nano-materials, the specialisation and training of personnel or the development of relevant standards.