Itziar Carracedo, AIMPLAS Project Director: “The support of CDTI Innovation helps us to transform agricultural waste into competitive bioplastics”

The plastics industry is at the heart of a profound global transformation. After decades focused on optimizing productivity and transformation costs, companies are now facing a scenario where sustainability and the circular economy dictate the rules of the market.

In this line of change is located the AIMPLAS - Technological Institute of Plastic. Founded in 1990 in the València Parc Tecnològic (Paterna), this private technology center was born with the aim of providing the sector with a key infrastructure for the development of materials and the improvement of processes. After more than three decades of experience, the entity acts today as a strategic partner to enhance the competitiveness of companies, promoting technological innovation with the circular economy and sustainability.

Its last major milestone is part of the MARFIL Network, an ambitious initiative that it leads together with AITIIP Technological Center, Foundation for Research and Development in Transport and Energy (CIDAUT) and GAIKER Foundation, and which has the support of the CDTI Innovation through the Cervera support line. As explained by its project manager, Itziar Carracedo, the goal responds to a clear market need: "Plastic remains an essential material for sectors such as packaging, automotive, construction, health, energy, agriculture, electronics or mobility, but its use is under increasing pressure due to its environmental impact, waste generation and dependence on fossil raw materials."

AIMPLAS facilities at the València Parc Tecnològic (Paterna)

In this context, the IVORY project was born with a determined idea: “Move towards more sustainable plastics, reducing dependence on fossil raw materials and making better use of renewable resources, waste, agro-industrial by-products and other alternative biomasses.”

In this sense, the project also aligns with the 2030 Agenda and contributes especially to SDGs 9, 12 and 13, by promoting innovation, responsible production and reducing dependency on fossil raw materials.

From agricultural waste to biomaterials

Backed by CDTI Innovation, the IVORY Network focuses on reducing the gap between scientific research into bio-resources and their actual application in today’s factories. Despite the fact that some bioplastics are already commercialized, their implementation in the market is still very uneven, since the alternatives derived from agricultural waste still have to solve important technical challenges of processing and cost optimization. “These technologies still need to advance in scaling, property stability, processability and industrial validation,” says Carracedo.

Converting an agricultural waste into a high-value-added material is a process that takes place in several phases. Everything begins with the selection of the residue, from which useful components such as sugars, oils or natural fibers are extracted. These fractions are then transformed into new biopolymers or incorporated as additives and reinforcements. Next, the material is developed so that it can be processed in conventional industrial machinery, with stable and competitive properties. Finally, its behavior in real applications is evaluated. In this way, the IVORY project comprehensively addresses the entire life cycle of the material: from the previous treatment of biomass and the creation of new polymers to the final verification of its capacity to be recycled, composted or reused.

Technology transfer to mitigate business risk

For AIMPLAS, the value of cutting-edge research lies in its ability to reach the market and generate a measurable economic and social impact. Therefore, the center works with a very practical approach, involving companies from the beginning in the definition of technical requirements, so that the research responds to real market problems. “This is especially important in plastic materials, because an innovation has no value if it cannot be processed, scaled and meet the technical, economic and regulatory requirements of the market,” explains the directive.

In addition, AIMPLAS has laboratories, pilot plants and prototyping capabilities that allow us to cover this intermediate stretch between research and industry, thus reducing the risk for companies. This allows them to make decisions with data before undertaking industrial investments.

Networking with the support of the CDTI Innovation

A project of this magnitude requires the addition of complementary scientific and technical capabilities. With this idea, the IVORY Network is articulated as a consortium of excellence composed of four technological centers of national reference. "The collaboration between AIMPLAS, AITIIP, CIDAUT and GAIKER is one of the key elements because it allows to gather complementary technological capabilities that a single center would hardly have separately," says Itziar Carracedo.

 The IVORY Network transforms agro-industrial waste and by-products into advanced materials

The four centres provide expertise in materials, plastics processing, biopolymers, industrial processes, product validation and market transfer. This combination allows us to approach the project in an integral way, from the procurement and treatment of renewable raw materials to the formulation of new materials, their processing, characterization, validation in specific applications and sustainability analysis.

For Carracedo, the support of the CDTI Innovation through the Cervera support line has been fundamental to be able to tackle a project of this ambition and with a clear strategic orientation. In addition, it has reduced the risk associated with research lines of high technological complexity, which require continuity, specialization and validation in the medium term.

“It is not just about financing a specific line of research, but about consolidating knowledge, pilots and methodologies that can then be transferred to companies. It also allows us to generate our own capabilities that remain in the technology centers once the project is finished”, he highlights.

From a business perspective, CDTI support accelerates the market arrival of sustainable and economically viable alternatives for high-consumption sectors: “Cervera grants have allowed us to accelerate a strategic line of work for AIMPLAS and the Spanish industry: transforming research into renewable materials into real, competitive solutions that are aligned with the challenges of circularity, decarbonization and sustainability that the market demands,” he says.

Towards a more circular industry

With an eye on the coming years, AIMPLAS orients its strategy to respond to European regulatory requirements in the field of decarbonization and packaging. The main challenge of the sector is to plan the circular economy from a comprehensive view of the product life cycle. In this sense, Itziar Carracedo stresses that “the challenge will be to conceive the circular economy thinking about what raw materials are used, how they are transformed, how long they last and whether they can be converted back into quality raw materials”.

To achieve this, ecodesign is shaping up as a key phase for companies, since sustainability and recyclability must be incorporated from the very conception of the product. At the same time, the industry will need to improve the quality of recycled material through advanced chemical classification and recycling technologies, relying on digitalization to demonstrate its environmental benefit with data.

On the other hand, the market will demand specific solutions for strategic sectors such as sustainable mobility, energy and defense, through more durable polymers and dual technologies. Faced with this scenario, AIMPLAS will strengthen its role as a technological ally to accompany companies in their reconversion, connecting applied research and pilot plants with the real needs of the market. “Our role will be to connect applied research, pilot capabilities and regulatory knowledge to accelerate the transition to a more circular, sustainable and competitive plastic industry,” he concludes.

CDTI Innovation

The Center for Technological Development and Innovation, CDTI E.P.E. It is the innovation agency of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, whose objective is the promotion of technological innovation in the business environment. The mission of the CDTI is to ensure that the Spanish business fabric generates and transforms scientific and technical knowledge into globally competitive, sustainable and inclusive growth. In 2025, within the framework of the Strategic Plan 2024-2027, the CDTI provided 2,423 million euros of support to Spanish companies and startups.

 
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