The European SOUL project, Sustainable, biO-based and biodegradable-in-soil soLutions, co-funded by Horizon Europe under the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking, is developing 11 innovative product solutions based on bio-based raw materials and biodegradable in soil. The project covers applications in agriculture, gardening, landscaping, fisheries, leisure, and sports. According to the information provided, the products under development contain more than 95% renewable raw materials, and are intended to deliver the required performance during use and to fully biodegrade at the end of their life cycle. The aim is to reduce environmental impact and prevent soil pollution. AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, is also involved in the project.
The consortium consists of 17 partners from five European Union countries. These are Fundación AITIIP, acting as coordinator, EVOenzyme, CSIC, Asetaga and AIMPLAS from Spain; MOSES, Novamont, Tenax S.p.A., Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, and Re Soil Foundation from Italy; Amorim Cork Solutions, Sicor and Holoss from Portugal; Samco Agricultural Manufacturing from Ireland; Normec OWS and European Bioeconomy Bureau from Belgium; as well as IUNG, the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation from Poland. The associated partner in the project is Bedoukian from Switzerland.
Within the project, the partners are developing, among other things, mulch films, clips, twines, pheromone dispensers, turf nets, tree shelters, controlled-release fertiliser coatings, and infill materials for artificial turf. These solutions are produced from sustainably sourced feedstocks, including agricultural residues, agri-food industry by-products, and crops grown on marginal land. According to the project information, they are also intended to be compatible with existing plastics processing technologies, which is expected to facilitate industrial scale-up.
Scope of work and the role of AIMPLAS
Project coordinator Dr Carolina Peñalva highlights the importance of the initiative for the development of a circular economy in the area of plastics that end up in soil. As she stated: "The SOUL project represents a crucial step towards a truly circular bioeconomy for plastics that end up in our soils. Our goal is to create sustainable, high-performance materials that work in harmony with the environment, rather than against it. By preventing soil pollution and reducing our carbon footprint, we can protect ecosystems for future generations."
Within SOUL, AIMPLAS will develop a tool to predict the biodegradability of plastic materials under soil conditions. The digital solution is intended to support a better understanding of material biodegradation processes and safer, more sustainable design of products and materials for greener agriculture and healthy soils.
Validation in five EU countries
The 11 solutions under development are to be tested under real-world conditions in five European regions with diverse climatic profiles. The trials will be carried out in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Poland, and Ireland. The tests are intended to confirm the biodegradability of the products in soil and their compatibility with various end-of-life scenarios, including composting, reuse, and recycling.
The project also предусматривает a comprehensive assessment of the safety, sustainability, and circularity of each solution throughout its entire life cycle. The scope of the analyses also includes quantifying reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and preparing recommendations for public policies concerning this sector.
