{"id":178,"date":"2026-03-12T13:43:39","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T12:43:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.itc-packaging.com\/blog\/en\/?p=178"},"modified":"2026-03-12T13:56:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T12:56:42","slug":"sustainable-packaging-innovation-pla-and-compostable-additives-in-the-sisters-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.itc-packaging.com\/blog\/en\/sustainable-packaging-innovation-pla-and-compostable-additives-in-the-sisters-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainable Packaging Innovation: PLA and Compostable Additives in the\u00a0SISTERS Project"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Project Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within the framework of the European project SISTERS (Horizon 2020), ITC Packaging<\/a> is driving the development of sustainable packaging solutions based on polylactic acid (PLA) and compostable <\/a>additives to extend shelf life and facilitate home composting. This initiative is part of a broader eco-design strategy for packaging aimed at reducing food waste and advancing towards a circular economy in the packaging sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PLA: A Renewable Bioplastic<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PLA is a renewable bioplastic obtained from natural resources such as corn or sugarcane. Through the fermentation of sugars, lactic acid is produced, which is then polymerized to form the thermoplastic polymer PLA. This bio-based<\/a> origin makes PLA an attractive alternative to conventional fossil-based plastics, especially in applications where sustainability is a key factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technical Challenges in Industrial Processing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adopting PLA in industrial processes such as plastic injection molding presents several technical challenges:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u27a2PLA is temperature-sensitive and can degrade if not processed correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u27a2It absorbs moisture, which can compromise material properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u27a2It may deform during cooling, requiring precise control of temperature, pressure, and injection speed, as well as optimized mold design and compatibility with additives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Current Status of the Project<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prototypes of packaging for products such as fruit, cheese, mushrooms, or fish have been developed, optimized for thickness, functionality, and stackability. These prototypes are currently being evaluated for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2713Compostability<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2713Shelf life of the contained products<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2713Consumer acceptance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upcoming milestones include the development of thinner packaging, with an anticipation of potential challenges related to biodegradation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summary, this work demonstrates that innovation<\/a> in sustainable packaging extends beyond material selection; it also requires process engineering, industrial validation, and collaboration among various stakeholders in the food supply chain. Through the development of PLA-based packaging and compostable bio-additives, ITC Packaging is contributing to a real transition towards circular, efficient, and climate-aligned packaging solutions in Europe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Project Overview Within the framework of the European project SISTERS (Horizon 2020), ITC Packaging is driving the development of sustainable packaging solutions based on polylactic acid (PLA) and compostable additives to extend shelf life and facilitate home composting. This initiative is part of a broader eco-design strategy for packaging aimed at reducing food waste and advancing towards […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":182,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1,10,7,58,56,57,5],"tags":[23,24,21],"yoast_head":"\r\nSustainable Packaging Innovation: PLA and Compostable Additives in the\u00a0SISTERS Project - ITC News<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\r\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.itc-packaging.com\/blog\/en\/sustainable-packaging-innovation-pla-and-compostable-additives-in-the-sisters-project\/\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Sustainable Packaging Innovation: PLA and Compostable Additives in the\u00a0SISTERS Project - ITC News\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Project Overview Within the framework of the European project SISTERS (Horizon 2020), ITC Packaging is driving the development of sustainable packaging solutions based on polylactic acid (PLA) and compostable additives to extend shelf life and facilitate home composting. 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