Extrusion International 1-2026

19 Extrusion International 1/2026 SOLRESS Drives Safe and Sustainable Bio-Based Solvents from Second-Generation Resources AIMPLAS is coordinating this proj- ect, which will produce five industrial solvents from post-consumer coffee grounds and lignocellulosic feedstocks. They will be tested in sectors such as paints and coatings, cosmetics, and in- dustrial material processing. The SOLRESS project officially kicked off on September 10-11, 2025 in Valen- cia, Spain,markingamajor step toward the development of safer, sustainable, and high-performance bio-based sol- vents for European Industries. Funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) with a contribu - tion of €7 million under a total budget of €9.1 million, the project will run for 48 months under the coordination of AIMPLAS, Plastics Technology Centre. SOLRESS aims to develop an inte- grated biorefinery system to produce five key industrial solvents -ethyl ac - etate, ethyl lactate, butyl acetate, 2-MeTHF, and GVL – from second-gen- eration biomass waste, including post- consumer coffee grounds and lignocel- lulosic feedstocks. Designed to meet industrial purity standards, these bio- based solvents will be tested in sectors such as paints and coatings, cosmetics and industrial material processing. The project’s ambition is threefold: • to replace the use of fossil, non-re- newable rawmaterial with sustainable bio-based feedstocks for key solvents; • to provide Safe-and-sustainable- by-design (SSbD) alternatives to con - troversial solvents associated with high hazard and toxicity; • to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability along the entire value chain. Through the collaboration of lead- ing industrial, research and innovation actors, SOLRESS will demonstrate how bio-based solvents can strengthen Eu- rope’s industrial resilience, reduce envi- ronmental impacts and create new op- portunities across the chemical sector. A multi-stakeholders project SOLRESS is a collaborative project that unites expertise and innova- tion, bringing together 17 partners under the coordination of AIMPLAS: Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, Bioecon- omy for Change, StoraEnso, Kaffe Bueno, Solmeyea, Ghent University, HydroHM, the Agricultural University of Athens, Kansai Altan, TFC, Perseo Biotechnology, IVL Swedish Environ- mental Research Institute, CSIC, Der- mopartners, Celignis and Galactic. AIMPLAS www.aimplas.es Further Investment in UK BlowMoulding Announced Nexus Packaging announced the next phase of develop- ment at the stateof-the-art factory in Glasgow. The 57.000 sq. ft. facility, completed in 2024, is home to nine all-elec- tric Magie blow moulding machines. These are supported by the very latest compressors, chillers, blending systems and solar panels, forming one of Europe's most efficient and technologically advanced blow moulding operations. The company is now expanding further with an additional 20,000 sq. ft. of storage space and the installation of four new machines. These will focus on custom products, in- creasing the speed, flexibility, and ability to meet bespoke client needs. This expansion reinforces the ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of UK blow moulders. Alongside the latest technology, Nexus Packaging is build- ing a team that combines the energy of young technicians and engineers with the wisdom of seasoned moulders, many of whom have returned from the original 1990s facil- ity to help shape this new chapter. Chris Wagner, Director - Nexus Packaging: "Over the last 25 years, a lack of investment in people and machinery has shifted much industrial blow moulding production over- seas. At Nexus, we're working hard to reverse that trend to bringjobs, innovation and pride back to British manufac- turing." Nexus Packaging www.nexuspackaging.co.uk