Project Overview

AQUAPACK

AQUAPACK addresses the challenge of plastic redution by introducing innovative biodegradable packaging materials derived from marine biomass, including micro- and macroalgae, fish processing side-streams and by-catch. This 4-year initiative brings together 15 academic and industrial partners across 8 European countries to co-develop sustainable alternatives to traditional plastic packaging, enhancing both environmental responsibility and product safety in the food and cosmetics supply chains.

Innovative
Expert Team
High Performance
Award Winning

Project Objectives

The overall objective of the AQUAPACK project is the development and evaluation of the effect of novel biodegradable packaging systems on the quality and safety of perishable food and cosmetics in the supply chain of the EU region and worldwide, through the introduction of economically and environmentally sustainable packaging materials based on marine biomass (micro and macro-algae, fish processing side streams and by-catch).

AQUAPACK faces the challenge of reducing plastic pollution through transnationally designed innovations for development of novel biodegradable packaging systems

About Us About Us

Develop biodegradable packaging materials based on aquatic biomass

microalgae, macroalgae, fish side-streams and by-catch

Reduce plastic pollution

by replacing conventional plastics with sustainable alternatives.

Improve product safety and quality

Improve product safety and quality through packaging with natural antimicrobial properties

Apply circular economy principles

by valorizing aquatic side-streams using extraction and biorefinery technologies.

Foster international collaboration

linking academia and industry from 8 EU countries.

Facilitate knowledge exchange and policy alignment

to support wide-scale adoption of sustainable packaging innovations

Contribute to EU Green Deal and Farm-to-Fork Strategy

by promoting environmentally responsible production and consumption.

NEWS & EVENTS

1 July 2025 - AQUAPACK Project Kick-off Meeting The AQUAPACK project officially launched with a successful kick-off meeting on 1 July 2025, marking the start of a four-year collaboration to develop sustainable, algae- and fish-based biodegradable packaging solutions for the food and cosmetics sectors. The consortium set the course for joint activities aimed at reducing plastic pollution and promoting circular economy practices through innovative packaging materials derived from aquatic biomass and side-streams.

Follow our journey as AQUAPACK promotes eco-innovation and circularity across Europe and beyond

TRAINING

Meet our secondees

Our MSCA-funded mobility scheme supports international training and knowledge exchange across academic and commercial environments. Updates coming soon.

Dissemination, Education & Outreach

Communication material

Scientific publications

Conference Presentations

Tsironi Τ., Velliou Ε., Arnaudin Ι., Župan Ι., Šarić Τ., Koutinas Μ., Chirivella-Martorell J., Serrano-Aroca A., Biscarini F., Power D.M., Koutinas A., Flemetakis E. Valorisation of aquatic biomass and side-streams for sustainable packaging in the blue bioeconomy: insights from the aquapack project. Aquaculture Europe 2025, Valencia, Spain, 22-25/9/2025.

Stafyli C.A., Athanasopoulou E., Konstantinidi S., Vairinhos A., Flemetakis E., Power D.M., Tsironi T. Investigating the potential of Arthrospira Platensis whole biomass for bioplastic film production. 7th International Conference on Food Science & Technology, Athens, Greece, 08-09/11/2025.

Education & public outreach

AQUAPACK places strong emphasis on engaging society and empowering the next generation of scientists. Beyond scientific dissemination the project implements a dedicated Education & Public Outreach (EPO) programme designed to increase public awareness of accelerator science sustainable materials and the role of advanced technologies in shaping future food packaging solutions.

AQUAPACK was introduced among five MSCE-SE success stories during the MSCA Staff Exchanges Info Day in Athens on 29 September 2025. Georgios Stavropoulos (KORRES) gave an insightful overview of the AQUAPACK aims and scope highlighting its innovative approach to sustainable packaging using aquatic biomass.

AQUAPACK e-learning (members only)

Funding Programme: HORIZON-MSCA-2023-SE-01

Grant agreement ID: 101182929 Duration: 48 months (July 2025-June 2029) Coordinator: AUA (Greece) Consortium partners:

Academic: AUA (Greece), CCMAR (Portugal), CUT (Cyprus), UNIZD (Croatia), UCV (Spain), LRUniv (France), UNIMORE (Italy), UCL (United Kingdom) Commercial: NECTON (Portugal), ΚΟRRES (Greece), FLEXIA (Greece), BLUE ISLAND (Cyprus), ORBIS (Italy), MARIKOMERC (Croatia), SUSEA (Netherlands), https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101182929

Contact us

Theofania Tsironi (project coordinator) Agricultural University of Athens, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition Email: ftsironi at aua.gr