AIMPLAS, a key participant in the EcoeFISHent project, envisions a transformative journey for fish gelatine and fishing nets. The global fish industry is expected to produce a staggering 194 million tonnes by 2026, with approximately 20 million tonnes used for fishmeal and fish oil. AIMPLAS is strategically tapping into the circular economy by extracting bioactive compounds from residual fish by-products, a cost-effective move toward sustainability.
The EcoeFISHent project, a European initiative, aims to safeguard marine ecosystems and protected areas. Focusing on bio, blue, green, and circular economy principles, it establishes six circular value chains to repurpose waste, extract bioactive components, and recycle end-of-life fishing gear for applications in packaging, food, automotive, and agriculture.
AIMPLAS plans to utilize fish gelatine side streams to create a compostable, gas-barrier biopolymer coating for packaging sensitive foods like meat, cheese, and fish. Scaling up to industrial pilot production, the process aims to achieve true sustainability with functional and non-harmful utility.
Additionally, AIMPLAS will extrude polyethylene from fishing nets, subject it to injection molding and lamination processes, and produce cosmetic packaging. This initiative includes a comprehensive program for collecting, recovering, and recycling abandoned fishing nets, along with a sustainability-focused fishing program.
The EcoeFISHent project involves collaboration among thirty-four partners across seven countries, coordinated by FILSE spa and funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement ID 101036428).
In a parallel effort, Tesco has joined forces with Keep Sea Blue to integrate recycled plastics into fresh fish packaging, aiming to keep 500 tonnes of discarded plastic out of the ocean. This move aligns with global initiatives targeting sustainability in the packaging industry.
