In Italy, a groundbreaking initiative has “tapped” into innovation by turning beer waste into a renewable solution for plastic pollution. Dubbed LIFE RESTART, the project is transforming spent grain from breweries into high-performance bioplastics—replacing 300 tonnes of fossil-based plastics and fueling a circular economy.
The project, which is support by the EU’s LIFE Programme and Close-to-Market (C2M), has achieved bioplastics with 35% beer industry byproduct. Appropriate applications include automotive, construction, footwear, and toys.
The project is based in Roccavaldina, a small Sicilian village facing depopulation and economic stagnation. An abandoned factory has been revived into a production hub, creating jobs and attracting researchers, designers, and innovators. LIFE RESTART projects €2 million in sales within five years.
“Creating a great product is one thing, but getting it to market is another,” says project manager Giacomo Pinaffo. “Thanks to C2M, we’ve been able to navigate the European market and focus on the most promising applications.”