In this exercise, the center has focused its activity on advanced recycling, circular economy, sustainable chemistry, agriculture, packaging, cities, mobility and energy, and characterization of materials, in addition to consolidating the operation of its Plastics Living Lab as a real environment for technological validation.
Advanced recycling: biotechnology, separation and chemical recycling
In the area of recycling, AIMPLAS has worked on developing advanced solutions to improve the quality of recycled material and facilitate its incorporation into high value-added applications, as well as using microorganisms to increase the efficiency and sustainability of processes. Key advances include the selection of microorganisms for improving soil quality, increasing enzymatic efficiency in the plastics sector, and developing technologies for separating complex waste, especially from the electrical, electronics, and automotive sectors, anticipating new European legislative requirements.
Furthermore, progress has been made in the application of supercritical fluids for the decontamination of recycled plastics, allowing their use in packaging, and in the evolution of chemical recycling towards more efficient processes, such as electrodepolymerization and electrodeposition aimed at the recovery of critical raw materials, essential for sectors such as renewable energies.
Circular economy: environmental analysis, ecodesign and digital passport
The lines of research in circular economy have been structured into four key pillars.
On the one hand, AIMPLAS conducts life cycle assessments, environmental footprint analyses, and risk assessments, with a particular focus on supporting companies in implementing the comprehensive analyses required by European regulations. In ecodesign, AIMPLAS has developed a digital tool capable of diagnosing a product's recyclability in a matter of hours, facilitating decision-making in the early stages of development. Furthermore, the center has actively worked on the digital product passport, collaborating with companies in the sector to improve traceability, data management, and regulatory compliance, and has continued to advance reuse models for both industrial and household packaging in collaboration with various Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) organizations.
Packaging: natural polymers and advanced coatings
In the packaging sector, the center has continued to optimize materials and coating formulations based on natural polymers for processing using conventional technologies such as extrusion, injection molding, and printing, improving their barrier and mechanical properties. New developments include the incorporation of surface treatment technologies to enhance the adhesion of new coatings, fostering the development of more sustainable and reusable packaging. Additionally, work has continued on improving the chemical resistance of plastic materials for reusable packaging applications and to promote the use of recycled materials.
Cities, mobility and energy: materials for the future
In its research on cities, mobility, and energy, AIMPLAS has worked on the development of advanced composites, combining recycled and sustainable materials with natural fibers for applications in construction, space, and energy. Notable advances include thermoplastic pipes for hydrogen transport, energy storage components, advanced manufacturing, 3D mold printing, plastronics and printed electronics, as well as sustainable materials for thermal and acoustic insulation and translucent geopolymers for construction and interior design.
Sustainable chemistry: new routes and pollutant control
In the field of sustainable chemistry, AIMPLAS has made progress in developing new, more sustainable synthetic routes, with direct applications in sectors such as cosmetics (through the development of capsules and other functional systems), packaging, agriculture, health, transportation, and more. Intrinsically active materials, such as luminescent and photoluminescent additives, have also been developed, and research into pollutant removal has been strengthened, both in air, using advanced adsorbents, and in water, using photocatalysts, membranes, and new characterization systems.
Agriculture: sustainable materials and controlled release
In the agricultural sector, AIMPLAS has made progress in developing new technical plastic materials adapted to crops; controlling temperature and wavelength, as well as adding sensors to these greenhouse covers to monitor their functionality over time. Work has also been done on valorizing agricultural waste, both for its incorporation as fillers in different polymers and for using natural extracts as active ingredients. AIMPLAS has also continued developing natural polymers as a tool for water efficiency management, with developments such as solid water and hydrogels that biodegrade in soil in less than 33 months, in accordance with European regulations. The incorporation of active ingredients in the various plasticulture developments allows for their controlled release and the creation of integrated compounds to improve soil health and nutrition.
Materials characterization: accelerated testing, safety and environment
From its Laboratories division, AIMPLAS has worked on developing advanced characterization methodologies, focusing on durability, sustainability, and material safety. Accelerated fatigue tests have been developed, generating predictive lifespan models for sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy. In the areas of biodegradability and microplastics, testing and analysis methods have been optimized for complex matrices. Furthermore, studies of emerging contaminants, PFAS, bioassays, and NIAS have been expanded, incorporating advanced analytical techniques and predictive tools geared towards the design of safe and sustainable materials.
Living Lab: real-world validation and intelligent monitoring
During 2025, AIMPLAS consolidated the activity of its Plastics Living Lab, focusing its efforts on monitoring and validating developments under real-world conditions. Data collection systems have been implemented to analyze the behavior of different agricultural plastics in greenhouses, evaluating parameters such as light, humidity, and temperature. Validation of wind turbine blades manufactured with different materials has also begun, through the commissioning of an experimental wind turbine. Another milestone has been large-format additive manufacturing, where the use of plastic materials reinforced with agricultural waste has been validated, demonstrating its technical viability and its integration into the environment with a reduced environmental impact.
