El Packaging Cluster Catalonia is consolidating its position with programmes such as Green Impackt, Value4Pack and EPIC, which are key to the strategy to strengthen competitiveness, foster innovation and promote sustainable practices in the Catalan packaging sector.
Green Impackt: building bridges with Latin America
The Green Impackt project, led by the Packaging Cluster, aims to promote sustainability among more than 150 Colombian SMEs by improving the management of plastics and packaging. This initiative will connect 180 small and medium-sized companies from Colombia and Europe, promoting international collaboration and the exchange of sustainable solutions. With the support of European suppliers, participating companies will be able to access tools, knowledge and financing to move towards the circular economy.
A business mission to Colombia is planned for March 2025, a key opportunity for Catalan companies to explore new markets and establish strategic alliances with Latin American partners. The programme will include B2B meetings, co-creation workshops and the possibility of benefiting from up to 80% co-financing of travel and accommodation expenses.
Value4Pack: interregional innovation for food packaging
The Value4Pack project aims to strengthen collaboration between European regions to boost innovation in the food packaging value chain. To date, it has collected more than 60 innovative proposals, of which 30 have already been selected to receive support in identifying partners and accessing funding lines.
The project's key activities include the analysis of interregional value chains to detect innovation gaps and connect key players in the sector. It also promotes access to networking events, the creation of regional roadmaps to guide investments in innovation and collaboration between regions with complementary needs and resources. The project aims to empower companies in the food packaging sector, encourage the creation of specific innovation projects and establish a collaborative ecosystem that promotes sustainability at a European level.
EPIC: strengthening regional innovation ecosystems
The EPIC project aims to boost innovation in less developed regions by connecting actors in the packaging value chain to foster sustainable solutions. The scope of the project includes the identification of technological needs, the development of business cases and the support of SMEs to access European projects.
The consortium covers the entire value chain, from machinery and materials suppliers to end users in sectors such as food, cosmetics and biomedical. Particular attention is paid to the packaging machinery sector, which is essential to facilitate the transition towards more sustainable materials and processes. Companies in this field play a key role in technological adaptation to new materials, such as bioplastics and recycled materials, ensuring their functionality and safety.
With plastics consumption for packaging increasing by 26% between 2012 and 2021, EPIC offers a comprehensive approach to address these challenges, promoting interregional collaborations and innovations that drive sustainability in the sector.
Benefits for Catalan industrial companies
The cluster collaborates with 30 entities from 19 countries in Europe and Latin America. This collaboration allows it to internationalise, opening up to emerging markets such as Latin America through the Green Impackt project; to innovate in sustainability, taking part in circular economy initiatives with European support; to establish strategic alliances through interregional collaboration, identifying the needs of the sector and connecting with other regions in Europe; and to access key resources such as financing and the knowledge needed to implement innovative solutions.
To participate in these projects, interested companies can contact the cluster directly or consult specific platforms, such as Value4Pack. All projects are funded or co-funded by the European Union, guaranteeing resources and support to boost innovation and business collaboration.