The INN-PRESSME project promotes state-of-the-art pilot facilities dedicated to supporting the growing market demand for scaling up bio-based material innovations.
During the INN-PRESSME project, 16 pilot lines (PLs) across Europe were upgraded with most achieving at least a 15% improvement in industrial process parameters and a 20% faster verification of materials performance. These upgraded pilot lines were validated by demonstrating the scale up of test cases for the packaging, energy, transport and consumer goods sectors. During the product development, the final processing parameters were defined and adjusted based on the experience and feedback from the project’s industrial partners. The most successful test cases were smart labels for packaging, dispersion coated fibre-based stand-up pouches, biofoam boxes, automotive bio-based plastic components, ultracapacitors and personalised inner shoe soles and a sustainable end-of-life option was demonstrated for all of the TCs. The work continued with the Open Calls, which extended the Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB) procedures to a wider array of potential end-users, and markets, diversifying the project’s ecosystem and broadening the range of innovative solutions offered. The selected new test cases were not only the first to test our facilities but also validated that the operational procedures of the OITB work.
These pilot and other services are now available as a test before investment services to be used in suitable customer-driven projects. The INN-PRESSME Open Innovation Test Bed is an essential and transformative ecosystem designed specifically to empower companies – particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps – to successfully develop and scale innovative bio-based and nano-enabled materials. In a global market increasingly driven by sustainability and environmental responsibility, INN-PRESSME offers businesses a strategic advantage by substantially reducing the financial risks and barriers typically associated with transitioning novel materials from the laboratory to commercial production.
Streamlining innovation: The INN-PRESSME SEP and Digital Platform
At the core of the INN-PRESSME ecosystem is the Single-Entry Point (SEP) – a centralised and streamlined interface that facilitates seamless access to the consortium’s extensive network of state-of-the-art pilot facilities and industry-leading technical expertise. As the SEP, our project partner STAM – an Italian engineering company devoted to technology transfer – has started the operation and promotion of the pilot lines in the OITB. The SEP simplifies the complex innovation landscape, enabling companies to quickly evaluate their specific technological needs, efficiently match with suitable partners and facilities, and receive tailored support and guidance at every stage of the innovation and scale-up journey.
Complementing the SEP is the INN-PRESSME Digital Platform, which serves as a repository of the pilot lines’ capabilities, services provided, and key OITB assets and documents. Far beyond being just an application portal used for Open Calls during the INN-PRESSME project, this platform is accessible to all SMEs, mid-caps, and Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) interested in exploring the development opportunities and specialised services offered by the INN-PRESSME network. It provides a comprehensive, user-friendly environment where stakeholders can access detailed information on pilot line capabilities, review critical documentation, and manage collaborative projects effectively.
The pilot infrastructures within the INN-PRESSME consortium represent a comprehensive and integrated value chain, enabling companies to explore and implement diverse advanced materials and cutting-edge technologies:
- Nanomaterials: These materials, characterised by dimensions between 1 and 100 nanometres, offer extraordinary functional properties that significantly enhance the performance, durability, and efficiency of products. Leveraging nanotechnology through INN-PRESSME’s specialised pilot lines allows businesses to harness innovative solutions in various sectors, from packaging to automotive and beyond.
- Bio-based materials: In response to the pressing global demand for sustainable alternatives, INN-PRESSME promotes the development and industrial application of materials derived from renewable biological sources. Companies accessing INN-PRESSME facilities can successfully transition from fossil-based to bio-based solutions, aligning their product portfolios with circular economy principles and environmental regulations.
- End materials: The OITB ensures comprehensive support across the entire materials value chain, from initial research and development to final product validation and scaling. This holistic approach guarantees that end materials developed are market-ready, robust, and validated under realistic industrial conditions.
INN-PRESSME’s pilot lines serve a pivotal role by enabling scaling-up trials essential for validating product performance under real-world conditions. These trials also generate reliable, high-quality data crucial for conducting detailed sustainability assessments, helping companies precisely quantify the environmental impacts and benefits of their solutions. This data-driven approach ensures that businesses can confidently position their products as both environmentally responsible and commercially viable.
The OITB ready for clients
Through the OITB, INN-PRESSME is designed to sustain its positive impact far beyond the initial project timeline. The consortium partners have committed to maintaining and continuously enhancing the OITB infrastructure. This long-term operational model ensures sustained access to pilot lines and technical expertise for European businesses, furthering innovation and industry-wide adoption of sustainable practices.
Companies engaging with INN-PRESSME benefit from:
• Unparalleled access to cutting-edge pilot facilities and specialised characterisation techniques and services, such as recyclability and biodegradability assessment, life-cycle assesment, and market analysis across Europe.
- A clearly defined, risk-mitigated pathway from laboratory-scale research through pilot trials to industrial-scale validation.
- Expert assistance in navigating funding landscapes, combining private investment with public financial support mechanisms.
- Entry into a vibrant community of leading industrial and academic stakeholders committed to innovation and sustainability.
In today’s competitive market landscape, where sustainability is not merely desirable but essential, INN-PRESSME stands as a pivotal catalyst for innovation and growth. Companies partnering with INN-PRESSME can significantly accelerate their innovation processes, confidently scale up their sustainable solutions, and actively contribute to the global shift toward a greener, more sustainable future.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 952972.
Please note, this article will also appear in the 22nd edition of our quarterly publication.
