On the occasion of the 3rd ‘PLASTAMINATION’ Conference, dedicated to the issues of plastic pollution, its degradation products and their impact on human health, held on 13 February 2026 at the Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (IEMEST), professor Annamaria Visco, scientific director of the LIFE RESTART project for UNIME and professor of Materials Science and Technology at the Department of Engineering, was invited to take part in a round table discussion moderated by a journalist from IlSicilia.

During the meeting, bioplastics were discussed, with a particular focus on the biocomposites developed as part of the LIFE RESTART project. Professor Visco gave a presentation entitled: “From waste to resources: sustainable biocomposites from bioplastics and agri-food waste”.

The debate aroused great interest, with questions focusing on production costs, the possible presence of additives in the formulations, the possible risks associated with their release at the end of their life cycle and the biodegradation times of biocomposites in the soil.

Numerous comments were made appreciating the relevance of the project and the creation of Fabbrica Zero in Roccavaldina. Particular interest was also shown in the scientific publications already released, for which an explicit request for further information was made, confirming the growing attention towards these innovative and sustainable materials.

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.