(AGENPARL) – Rome, 9 May 2024
(AGENPARL) – Thu 09 May 2024 PRESS RELEASE
LAZIO REGION, SPLASTICA WINS THE OPEN INNOVATION CHALLENGE “PACKAGING 4.0”
The new challenge, launched by Lazio Innova together with EMEC Srl, rewarded innovative packaging solutions from the Rieti-based company. The winning project will receive 20 thousand euros and direct access to the Go to Market program in the regional Active Spaces
Rieti, 9 May 2024 – The winners of the “Packaging 4.0” challenges were awarded, the challenge launched by EMEC Srl, the Lazio Region and Lazio Innova to SMEs, startups and young innovators to identify innovative packaging solutions for industry products. Rieti company.
The event, which took place this morning in Rieti at the EMEC Srl headquarters, was attended by, among others, Luigi Campitelli, operational director of Active Spaces and Open Innovation of Lazio Innova; Claudio Ciogli, president of EMEC; Filippo Pietra, marketing manager of EMEC and Maurizio Di Pasquale, coordinator of the Active Space of Rieti.
EMEC is a company that has established itself internationally thanks to the design and manufacturing of instruments for water treatment and chemical product control and dosing systems. The company manages all processes internally, from production to packaging, up to the after-sales relationship. Through this challenge, it searches for alternative packaging materials to cardboard, which have an environmental impact close to or equal to zero, which are designer but also functional.
SPLASTICA won the challenge, winning the first cash prize worth 20 thousand euros and direct access to the Lazio Innova Go to Market Program.
Second and third place went to SMUSH MATERIALS and BI-REX.
SMUSH MATERIALS also won the prize worth 5,000 euros offered by EMEC for the implementation of a POC aimed at verticalizing the solution.
There are 6 finalist projects of the “Packaging 4.0” challenge that competed for the prizes up for grabs:
* BI-REX proposed the conversion of agri-food waste into fibers that can be used for the production of sustainable packaging, such as tree-free paper and eco-friendly plastics. The solution reduces the consumption of traditional resources and promotes industrial circularity, offering an ecological and efficient alternative for packaging;
* ORIGAMI presented a single-material solution that eliminates packaging plastics, introducing application flexibility, ease of assembly and improving product protection performance. The system is based on a pleated membrane in corrugated cardboard which, starting from the geometry of the product (digital) and the containing box, is obtained by UV cutting and folding of flat sheets;
* SPLASTICA proposed the creation of an expanded packaging material based on SP-Milk, compostable, biodegradable, recyclable. The solution reconciles economic objectives with social and environmental aspects, looking with confidence to a more sustainable future;
* SMUSH MATERIALS proposed the creation of the packaging for the Prius Pump product. In particular, the creation of the thermoformed mold by EMEC and its subsequent use for the production of eco SMUSH packaging is envisaged. The developed material will be tested and chosen with the company;
* MRSMITH STUDIO SB suggested a consultancy intervention to enhance the packaging innovation process already started by EMEC. The implementation of existing processes and machinery and the use of new materials are envisaged to eliminate plastic, standardize formats and reduce packaging costs;
* IUV presented the Radius project, in the context of open innovation. IUV offers the creation of bags for the packaging of accessories and components for dosing pumps and plant-based, biodegradable and compostable disinfection systems. The solution is printable by pad printing, laser cutting and applicable for flowpack packaging, with glues and/or plant-based adhesives.
The Open Innovation program of the Lazio Region, which includes the challenge launched with EMEC, is managed by Lazio Innova and has reached its thirtieth challenge and has so far seen the involvement of 180 teams in total admitted to the mentorship path out of a total of 550 applications received.
Through open innovation, the Lazio Region wants to connect large and medium-sized enterprises with the creativity and competence of young talents, entrepreneurial groups and innovative startups, producing a double result: on the one hand supporting the need for innovation in the large world of production and on the other to bring out innovative ideas and solutions that would otherwise remain excluded from the market.
ALESSANDRO MICHELINI
COMMUNICATION
Press office
Lazio Innova SpA
00184 ROME
http://www.lazioinnova.it
