Abstract:

Biodegradable plastic films are a promising new material providing a more convenient, environmentally friendly alternative for mulching and low-tunnel covering. They are expected to contribute to the reduction of pollution resulting from plastic waste in rural areas. The possibilities offered by such materials have not been explored sufficiently so far. The main objective of the project is to investigate the agronomic, engineering and environmental aspects involved in the use of bioplastic films in agriculture, and integrate them into well-justified techniques for enhancing sustainable, environmentally friendly, economically optimised low-tunnel and mulching cultivation in Europe. Moreover, the project aims at improving or developing new bioplastic films and determining their overall performance, including ecotoxicological impact, in field experiments at a European level.

Contacts

Coordinator

• Demetres BRIASSOULIS / Agricultural University of Athens Agricultural Engineering Department / GREECE

EC Scientific Officer

• Ciarán MANGAN / European Commission - DG Research Quality of Life Programme - Unit B1.2 / BELGIUM

Participant

• Pierre FEUILLOLEY / CEMAGREF FRANCE
• Istituto di Ricerca e Tecnologia delle Materie Plastiche IRTeMP NCR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche / ITALY
• Francesco DEGLI INNOCENTI / Novamont SpA ITALY
• Maurizio ZANON / PATI SpA ITALY
• Plastika Kritis SA GREECE
• Giuseppe E SCARASCIA MUGNOZZA / University of Tuscia Department of Forests / ITALY
• H J TANTAU / Universität Hannover Institut für Technik in Gartenbau und Landwirtschaft / GERMANY
• Merja ITAVAARA / VTT FINLAND