BIO2PES at PRSE 2026 | Amsterdam

In May the Technological University of the Shannon team had the privilege of attending Plastics Recycling Show Europe (PRSE) in Amsterdam, Netherlands — one of Europe's premier exhibitions bringing together the brightest minds in plastics recycling, sustainable materials, and circular economy innovation.

For the Bio2PEs project, this was more than an exhibition — it was a strategic opportunity.

Here's what we took away:

🔬 Industry Pulse — We explored the latest advances in biodegradable polymers, compostable & bio-based packaging, and recycling-compatible design. The innovation on display was inspiring and confirmed the sector's momentum.

🤝 Meaningful Connections — We engaged directly with companies, researchers, and organisations to gauge industry appetite for adopting and co-developing biodegradable packaging solutions. The conversations were candid, insightful, and full of potential.

⚠️ Real Challenges, Real Gaps — Discussions surfaced key barriers the industry is grappling with: material performance at scale, end-of-life management, recycling compatibility, and market acceptance of biodegradable alternatives. These are exactly the kinds of challenges BIO2PES is designed to address.

📋 Policy Landscape — We deepened our understanding of evolving EU regulations and sustainability targets shaping the future of plastics and packaging — critical context for directing our research.

The knowledge, connections, and insights gathered at PRSE 2026 will directly inform BIO2PES's research roadmap, helping us identify innovation gaps, potential industrial partnerships, and pathways aligned with both industry realities and regulatory direction.

A huge thank you to the PRSE organisers and everyone who took the time to connect with us in Amsterdam. The road to truly sustainable packaging runs through exactly these kinds of collaborations. 🙌