LIFE BioTHOP – BioTwine HOP waste transformation into novel product assortments for Packaging and Horticulture Sector

Hop training systems in Europe are based on wire or polypropylene (PP) twine trellises, usually pinched for about 6-7 meters above the ground on a regular arrangement of wooden or concrete poles. Roughly 5 dt/ha of steel cord and 5.5 dt/ha of steel barbed wire are consumed for wire netting, or 45 km of PP twines/ha for twining, each season. Both of the mentioned practices are far from EU’s environmental policy objectives, since the after-harvest biomass cannot be properly composted, recycled or landfilled. Unfortunately, for hop agro-waste, which yields up to 15 tons/ha (fresh matter) per season, the most frequent practice is still uncontrollable burning. In response to the problem described, BioTHOP project indorses a new circular economy for improved hop waste management, that combines alternative bioplastic twine materials based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA), with ability to be converted into novel feedstock for 100% biodegradable, compostable and recyclable packaging & horticulture product accessories. This project will expand from July 2019 to June 2022 and has a total project budget of 1.9 M€.

Technological Centre – TECOS, a scientific partner of LIFE BioTHOP with long-term experiences in manufacturing of semi-finished plastic components, moulds & injection transformation processes, will lead the piloting action on injection moulding of plating pots for horticulture, in particular for hop seedlings cultivated by IHPS. Additionally, TECOS will have a strong impact on the external stakeholders’ involvement, as it will link all the important actors of the bioplastic industrial chain to strengthen the inter-sectoral cooperation and to prove that BioTHOP materials can be effectively used in multi mass production sectors.

Contact: dr. Vesna Žepič Bogataj