On October 6, 2025, as part of the Plastics Summit – Global Event 2025, the results of the Sustainable Plastics Mobilizing Agenda were presented
The event, which attracted more than 1,250 participants from 36 countries, brought together representatives from industry, academia, civil society, and public entities, reinforcing the importance of cooperation in building a circular and carbon-neutral economy.
The Sustainable Plastics Agenda, co-financed by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), mobilized 427 professionals from companies, universities, and technology centers, resulting in 36 patents and scientific publications, 21 new products, and 81 training initiatives, with a direct impact on the creation of 48 new jobs and an estimated 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Structured into four major Work Packages (WP) — Circularity through Material Design, Circularity through Product Design, Circularity through Recycling, and Circularity through Alternative Raw Materials —, the Agenda developed 14 PPS (Processes, Products, and Services) that gave rise to innovative and sustainable solutions.
Among the main results presented, the following stand out:
- New materials and products that are 100% free of virgin fossil plastics, incorporating recycled polymers and derivatives from corn biorefineries;
- Panels and components for furniture and packaging produced from post-consumer plastic waste;
- Smart packaging with digital marking and traceability via blockchain, promoting recycling and circularity;
- Modular hydroponic systems, manufactured from recyclable materials and designed for reuse;
- Biodegradable, compostable, and bio-based products, including compostable films and bags with high starch content, footwear made from agro-industrial waste such as olive pits, and bio-based bottles developed from mussel shell waste.
The opening session featured speeches by Amaro Reis, President of APIP, and Paulo Correia, CTO of Logoplaste.
This was followed by the presentation of the Sustainable Plastics Mobilizing Agenda by Jorge Coelho, Scientific Coordinator of the Agenda, who highlighted the role of this initiative in accelerating the sector’s transition to a circular economy and carbon neutrality.
The technical presentation of the results was carried out by different members of the consortium, who shared the progress achieved in the 14 PPS:
- Américo Cunha, Bruna Machado, Cátia Zoraida, João Castelo, Tiago Silva, Filipa Pinho, Rui Oliveira, Pedro Santana, Luis Silva, Bruno Rodrigues, Hugo Patrício and Cidália Teixeira, who presented innovative results and products in the areas of material and product design, recycling, and alternative raw materials.
The closing remarks were given by Pedro Dominguinhos, President of the National Monitoring Committee for the PRR, who highlighted the contribution of this Agenda to transforming environmental challenges into opportunities for innovation and economic value.
With this Agenda, Portugal is positioning itself at the forefront of sustainable innovation, actively contributing to the objectives of the European Green Deal and to the consolidation of a more circular, technological, and resilient sector.
About APIP – Portuguese Plastics Industry Association
APIP – Portuguese Plastics Industry Association is a private, non-profit organization recognized as a public utility. Its mission is to advance and support the plastics industry by undertaking actions that foster its technical, economic, and social development, all while prioritizing environmental preservation.