NO-PLASTI-CUPS

Developing a natural, biobased coating from agricultural byproducts and seaweed for sustainable disposable cups

Objectives

NO-PLASTI-CUPS is a European, industry-led project supported by academic and research partners. Its main objective is to develop a fully natural, biobased coating made from plants, seaweed, and agricultural byproducts, which can be applied to paperboard to produce sustainable disposable packaging.

The project focuses primarily on cups for hot and cold beverages, such as coffee and beer, as well as takeaway containers for wet foods, including soups.

The consortium brings together 14 organisations, including companies, universities, research centres, and NGOs, covering the entire value chain of coated packaging. This collaborative approach ensures that the final products meet high standards of technical performance, environmental sustainability, and market relevance.

The developed coating and packaging will be assessed to confirm their biodegradability, recyclability, and home compostability under real-life conditions, ensuring minimal environmental impact. Manufacturing processes will be optimised to reduce resource consumption and carbon emissions, in line with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) objectives.

In parallel, behavioural studies and design research will improve understanding of consumer disposal habits and end-of-life practices, helping to maximise the environmental benefits of the products.

By the end of the project, strong industrial partnerships will be established to support the transition from pilot-scale production to commercial deployment beyond TRL 5. NO-PLASTI-CUPS will contribute to the development of Europe’s green economy and support the shift from fossil-based packaging towards circular, renewable, and biodegradable alternatives.

Description

NO-PLASTI-CUPS is developing and validating a natural, biodegradable coating based on plant- and seaweed-derived materials for use in disposable cups and food containers. The coating is being created through an iterative research and development process, combining laboratory-scale innovation with industrial-scale validation.

Biobased raw materials are supplied by consortium partners specialising in agricultural byproducts and seaweed polymers. Laboratory development and optimisation are led by Notpla and AIMPLAS, while paperboard adaptation is carried out by RAIZ. Pilot-scale production and upscaling are managed by Polytechs and Walki, who are also responsible for converting the coated materials into prototype cups for testing and validation.

Sustainability is a core element of the project. Early and final Life Cycle Assessments are conducted by UCL, while biodegradability and ecotoxicological testing is carried out by Plymouth Marine Laboratory. These activities are complemented by the development of artificial intelligence tools to support biodegradation prediction and environmental assessment.

Plastic Punch contributes research on littering and product performance in developing country contexts. Linköping University leads studies on labelling and communication to improve consumer understanding of proper disposal. In parallel, consumer testing with Compass Group evaluates product performance in real foodservice environments.

The project aims to advance the coating technology to TRL 5 and establish robust pathways for industrialisation and commercialisation. This work is supported by techno-economic analyses and detailed exploitation planning.

Overall, NO-PLASTI-CUPS provides a practical and scalable alternative to fossil-based plastic coatings. It demonstrates how natural materials can deliver reliable performance while supporting the reduction of plastic pollution and the transition towards a circular, low-impact packaging sector in Europe.