ViSS consortium meets in Belfeld at Helian Polymers
Two days of project updates, collaboration, and a visit to the PHA production facilities
The ViSS consortium met in Belfeld, the Netherlands, for two days of updates and collaboration. The first day focused on updates from all work packages, showing steady progress toward developing the final PHBV-based bioplastic. The first prototype of ViSS plastic trays was unveiled, made possible by the collaboration of Propagroup with Helian Polymers.
A commercially available polymer, comparable to the one under development in the project, was first selected. Based on this, suitable blends were prepared to simulate the formulations that ViSS aims to produce. These blends were then processed to test how they behaved on industrial equipment. Two different mixtures were evaluated: one for flexible film and one for sheet production. The two processing modalities target different applications, with flexible film intended for lightweight, adaptable packaging solutions and sheet production aimed at creating thicker, rigid plastics. The processing was carried out on two types of extrusion lines – blown film extrusion and cast extrusion – in order to compare performance.
Meanwhile, University of Birmingham and VTT contributed with the characterisation of the blends. Their work helped to understand the properties of the mixtures and the effect of the components. Birmingham also developed a plasticising additive, specifically designed to improve processability and support the transformation of the biopolymer into functional products.
ViSS partners checking out the first ViSS plastic protytoe
All other partners gave their contribution on the work and updated the consortium – CETEC, AITEX, the University of Alicante, Tecnoalimenti, IRIS, Idener, and Zukan. The day concluded with a visit to Helian Polymers, where partners followed the production process of PHAs like PHBV, from raw material to final polymer, and explored the company’s R&D labs and facilities.
On the second day, partners discussed the latest developments and planned the upcoming activities. There is still significant work ahead: materials to be shared, and technical documents in preparation that will guide the next steps and clarify how the project will move toward its results. Meeting in person remains an important way to connect progress across work packages and keep partners working closely together.