Discover How CO₂ from Wastewater Can Become Sustainable Packaging

How can carbon emissions from wastewater treatment plants be transformed into valuable, biodegradable materials? The HICCUPS project is answering this question by developing an innovative process that converts biogenic CO₂ into polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) — a fully bio-based and biodegradable polymer with the potential to replace fossil-based plastics in food packaging.

The international HICCUPS consortium is bringing together experts from research and industry to develop the complete value chain, from capturing CO₂ at wastewater treatment plants and converting it electrochemically into monomer building blocks, to producing and testing high-performance packaging materials. Alongside technology development, the project is evaluating environmental impacts, recycling strategies, and the overall carbon removal potential of this novel circular approach.

Students, doctoral candidates, early-career researchers, and anyone interested in sustainable materials and circular economy innovation are invited to join an on-site project event:

Date: 23 September 2026

Time: 10-12:15 CET

Venue: Matrix ONE, Science Park 301, 1098 XH Amsterdam

Registration (mandatory, free of charge): http://hiccups.eu/registration-amsterdam

During the event, consortium partners will present the current progress of the project, share insights into the latest research results, and discuss the technological challenges and opportunities of transforming waste-derived CO₂ into sustainable packaging solutions.

Preliminary Agenda:

1. General introduction to the HICCUPS project and Carbeau CCU Technology

Speaker: Mariana Paredinha Araujo (Carbeau)

2. Perspective on bio-based polymers and the relevance of PLGA

Speaker: Gert-Jan Gruter (Avantium)

3. PLGA polymerisation: General explanation of the polymerisation route towards PLGA

Speaker: Derar Alkhateb (Avantium)

4. PLGA properties, especially barrier properties

Speaker: tbd (INRAE)

5. Food contact and packaging applications

Speakers: Fatemeh Salimi (INRAE)

6. End-of-life aspects and strategies relevant to PLGA-based packaging

Speaker: Angus McLuskie / (University of Amsterdam)

Q & A

Closing of the event

Participation is free of charge, but registration is mandatory due to limited capacity.

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the HICCUPS research team, learn about cutting-edge European innovation, and explore how carbon capture and bio-based materials can contribute to a more sustainable future.

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 European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

The project is supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members.