The new bioplastics that will be produced in Roccavaldina (Me) within the LIFE RESTART project, co-funded by the European Union under the LIFE Program, will be called ecobuddy. According with partners, the EcosMed Social Cooperative, which will manage the factory, has registered the trademark for the biomaterials and many formulations are ready to go on the market. EcosMed has currently completed the renovation of the main shed in the former artisanal area of the village where the processing of beer spent grain will take place and concluded the acquisition of specific machinery, which was assembled ad hoc and required a long phase of testing carried out between Milan and Padua.

The “Zero Factory” is ready. Now it must be “turned on”. It will be able to start up and get to produce between 150 and 180 kg of “pellets” (or granules) per hour.

This is a decisive milestone for LIFE RESTART –  though not the only –  on which all partners are working on together in the various areas: original formulations of biomaterials from beer spent grain and a tailored machinery for a completely innovative production hub, able to operate on the market.

Biomaterials, always new “recipes”

During these months, the Engineering Department of Messina University has continuing to develop and test new formulations of biomaterials, developing various “recipes,” with different characteristics depending on the end product. Some of these have been approved and can already be used for production, net of certifications. Also, it has defined a mathematical model similar to a database that, by relating the composition of the biomaterials – the granules or “pellets” – to the physical and mechanical characteristics the end product must have – for example, a jar – it allows to extrapolate the most suitable (or closest) formulation. In addition, it has turned on the Mechanical Treatment Prototype (MTP), a machine specifically designed by UNIME for pilot-scale processing of beer spent grain. The MTP can eventually be recalibrated on other and different agro-food wastes. The next step will be the product recyclability analysis.

The biodegradability check

Crossing has completed the full characterization of the project benchmarks by evaluating their biodegradation in soil: a study it compared with the full characterization and biodegradation analysis of manufactured products with the bioplastic developed in LIFE RESTART.

Moreover, it characterized agricultural waste and carried out extraction tests using traditional techniques, with a qualitative assessment to identify the main components in the organic matrix. It will continue, among other things, making further biodegradability studies of biocomposites by varying their formulations and preliminary extraction tests using innovative and green methods.

Ecobuddy’s debut at Milan Design Week

 While Birrificio Messina is finishing testing machines, with the aim of identifying the best one to separate the beer spent grains wet part from the solid one to reuse every waste material – starting with water – for industrial purposes; EcosMed has started hiring, some of which are socially fragile people, and identifying the distribution network, developing contacts and relationships aimed at the first commercial agreements.

From April 15 to 21, the EcosMed Social Cooperative will be at Milan Design Week 2024 with granules, product prototypes and a 3D printer. This year the event is dedicated to human technology.

It will be the national debut of the ecobuddy brand.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.