NAPOLY

The new biopolymers can be used to high value eco- friendly industrial applications to ensure sustainable development. In this project potential research strategies for future research and development projects are identified. The project is financed by the European Commission.

Sustainability Studies (WP5)

Means to reach the goals

In this SSA project NAPOLY the top professionals in the relevant fields of expertise will be searched for Europe wide to form expert groups. These expert groups will form scenarios and research strategies on subjects relevant to the project. The consortia for future research and development projects on biopolymer development are formed by the expert group participants.

Ideally, the project will provide a wide scope for industrial research, encompassing and integrating issues on environment, health, energy, employment, education and training, legal and financial aspects, and science and society relations.


	NAPOLY Specific Support Action (SSA) Project summary
	The objective of the project NAPOLY is to investigate and identify the possibilities that advance- ments in nanotechnology can give for the develop- ment of new biopolymers. Investigations are con- ducted to find the most beneficial pathways to develop nano-structured biopolymers and their processing and applications in biomedicine and paper and packaging.	The new biopolymers can be used to high value eco- friendly industrial applications to ensure sustainable development. In this project potential research strategies for future research and development projects are identified. The project is financed by the European Commission.
	Sustainability Studies (WP5)
	The Working group „Sustainability Studies“ from the Department of Physical Geography at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University in Frankfurt / Germany (Work Package5) are identifying the ecological and socio-economic aspects when developing biopoly- mers based on nanotechnology. Environmental factors should be incorporated at early stages into decision-making regarding the design of processes and products, with life-cycle analysis and environmental auditing increasingly accepted as essential tools in business planning.	The actual use of biopolymer based products requires a series of changes both technologically and organisationally within the entire value chain involved. At the industry level the transformation will mean new investments within some areas and deterioration of others. In this Work Package the focal points that need to be taken into account in future research projects on biopolymers and their applications development are identified.
	Means to reach the goals
	In this SSA project NAPOLY the top professionals in the relevant fields of expertise will be searched for Europe wide to form expert groups. These expert groups will form scenarios and research strategies on subjects relevant to the project. The consortia for future research and development projects on biopolymer development are formed by the expert group participants.	Ideally, the project will provide a wide scope for industrial research, encompassing and integrating issues on environment, health, energy, employment, education and training, legal and financial aspects, and science and society relations.
	Partners The project consortium consists of the following members:
	Dr. Solveig Roschier, Eureco Oy, Finland (Coordinator, WP6, WP7) Prof. Kristiina Oksman, NTNU, Norway (WP1) Prof. Vittoria Vittoria, University of Salerno, Italy (WP2) Prof. Sergio Paoletti, University of Trieste, Italy (WP3) Ms. Pia Qvintus-Leino, VTT Processes, Finland (WP4) Dr. Christiane Berger, J.W. Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main, Germany, (WP5)
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