Biotechnology scale-up company Ecohelix has been awarded €2.2 million in funding for its LIFE WOODMER project under European Union's LIFE Circular Economy and Quality of Life Standard Action Projects. This substantial grant will accelerate the market introduction of Ecohelix's innovative biopolymer, WOODMER® Seal.
The LIFE WOODMER project will enable Ecohelix to bring novel heat seal coating to the market by adding formulation capability to Ecohelix demo production. The end product, WOODMER® Seal is designed to replace fossil- and food-based polymers in diverse packaging applications, providing heat sealability, barrier properties and excellent recyclability.
This significant funding from the EU LIFE Programme underscores the importance and potential impact of Ecohelix's technology in advancing the circular bioeconomy and fostering a greener future. The project will demonstrate the practical feasibility and environmental benefits of this groundbreaking approach, paving the way for broader adoption of wood-based biopolymers across various industries.
"Ecohelix is incredibly proud to receive this EU LIFE funding, which is crucial for our market entry," says Petri Oinonen, CEO and Founder of Ecohelix. "We firmly believe our WOODMER® technology will significantly transform material science, reducing plastic usage and emissions. We extend our sincere gratitude to the European Commission and the LIFE Programme for their support, which further solidifies Europe's leadership in sustainable materials."
This initiative supports the EU Green Deal and circular economy objectives by valorising waste, reducing CO2 emissions, and offering a sustainable, bio-based alternative. The project will be conducted in collaboration with three European commercial partners.