Horizon Europe R&I Collaboration on Sustainable Materials, Circular Packaging and Bioeconomy

Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuania, through its Center for Research on Advanced Packaging Materials and Technologies, is seeking international partners for collaborative research and innovation projects under Horizon Europe, particularly Cluster 6 – Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment.

Our research expertise

KTU conducts applied research and experimental development focused on advanced polymeric, bio-based and fibre-based materials, with particular emphasis on sustainable packaging technologies, prototyping and circular economy solutions.

Our key R&I competencies include:

• Bio-based materials and composites: Development, formulation and characterisation of polymeric and lignocellulosic composites incorporating renewable resources and agricultural by-products.

• Sustainable packaging technologies: Development and optimisation of fibre-based packaging materials, functional properties and barrier performance.

• Prototyping and experimental development: Design, fabrication and optimisation of material formulations and functional prototypes, including laboratory-scale processing, extrusion, injection moulding and experimental validation.

• Recyclability and repulpability: Experimental evaluation of coated, multilayer and composite packaging materials, including fibre recovery and recycling compatibility.

• Biodegradability: Assessment of aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation of bio-based and composite materials using standardised testing methodologies.

• Material characterisation: Mechanical, thermal, chemical and surface analysis, including FT-IR, TGA, DSC, UV-Vis spectroscopy and mechanical testing.

• Circular bioeconomy: Agricultural residue valorisation, resource efficiency and development of higher-value applications for secondary raw materials.

Collaboration opportunities

We are interested in joining Horizon Europe consortia addressing:

• Circularity, upcycling and recycling of bio-based materials.

• Sustainable biomass utilisation and agricultural by-product valorisation.

• Innovative recycling technologies for complex packaging materials.

• Development of biodegradable and recyclable alternatives to conventional materials.

• Material prototyping, process optimisation and technology scale-up.

• Industrial bioeconomy, resource efficiency and environmental performance.

• Sustainable material innovation and technology validation.

Our potential contribution to Horizon Europe projects

KTU can contribute as an R&I partner through experimental research, material development and optimisation, laboratory-scale prototyping, prototype fabrication and testing, methodology development, performance assessment and validation of innovative material solutions.

We welcome collaboration with universities, research organisations, industrial companies, technology developers and consortium coordinators seeking complementary expertise in sustainable materials, circular packaging and prototype development.

Our objective is to establish long-term international R&I partnerships and contribute to competitive Horizon Europe proposals that advance sustainable material technologies from research and prototyping towards industrial applications.