Tuesday 25th November 2025

King’s College London Joins EU Biodegradable Plastic Packaging Initiative

King’s College London has officially joined a European research collaboration to accelerate the development of biodegradable plastic packaging. The initiative, which brings together universities, industry partners, and innovation consortia, aims to tackle plastic pollution through science-led solutions that align with circular economy goals and emerging regulatory standards.

As reported by MRW, the institution’s Department of Engineering will contribute to the EcoPack Lab project—an EU-funded effort focused on identifying and validating new biopolymer formulations that degrade efficiently in real-world waste management systems, including home and industrial composting environments.

The research spans material science, waste processing, environmental modelling, and performance testing. The goal is to create plastic packaging alternatives that meet both functional requirements and sustainability certifications such as EN13432 and OK Compost standards. A strong emphasis is also placed on compatibility with existing recycling streams and potential reuse scenarios.

Professor Lara Greenwood, lead investigator from King’s, stated: “We are delighted to be applying our expertise in polymer chemistry and biodegradation systems to help define the next generation of sustainable packaging. The climate crisis and plastic waste challenge demand urgent innovation.”

Early work will involve lab-scale testing of biodegradable film samples under controlled aerobic and anaerobic conditions, followed by field trials in municipal composting sites and marine environments. The team will also analyse the full life-cycle impact of the materials under development, including carbon emissions, land use, and resource efficiency.

“This project represents an important bridge between scientific innovation and commercial viability,” said a spokesperson for the consortium. “Biodegradable packaging must perform not just environmentally, but also economically and operationally.”

King’s College London’s involvement underscores the importance of academic-industry partnerships in driving real progress in sustainable packaging. As the EU prepares tighter restrictions on microplastics and single-use plastics, such collaborative efforts are key to bringing viable, scalable solutions to market.

With the EcoPack Lab project expected to deliver first-phase results by early 2026, the initiative marks a major step toward redefining the material foundation of modern packaging with biodegradability, performance, and regulatory readiness at its core.