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AIMPLAS advances microalgae-based coatings in EU MULTIPLY project
The EU-funded MULTIPLY project unites 17 partners to develop ten microalgae-based solutions for food, feed, cosmetics, lubricants and packaging. AIMPLAS is contributing recyclable barrier coatings for paper substrates and active cosmetic packaging derived from algae compounds.
The Horizon Europe project MULTIPLY, launched in June 2025, aims to reduce industrial dependence on fossil and food-derived raw materials by scaling up microalgae-based alternatives. The consortium of 17 partners is working with five microalgae species — diatoms, Arthrospira (Spirulina), Tetraselmis, Nannochloropsis and Chromochloris zofingiensis — to deliver ten high value-added products for food, animal feed, cosmetics, lubricants, biomaterials and packaging.
Applications range from natural colourings and protein-rich food ingredients to bio-based esters for high-performance lubricants and compostable films, paper coatings and packaging solutions derived from algae oils and starch. According to project coordinator Marta Paiva of A4F, the initiative focuses on specific sectors where algae can replace conventional ingredients, supported by data on performance, sustainability and scalability.
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Recyclable barrier coatings and active packaging
Within the consortium, AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre based in Valencia, is developing sustainable materials from compounds and polymers extracted from microalgae for packaging applications. A central activity is the formulation of recyclable barrier coatings for paper substrates offering water and grease resistance, positioned as an alternative to conventional paper/PE multilayer structures.
In parallel, AIMPLAS is contributing to the development of an active cosmetic packaging incorporating microalgae-derived functional compounds, encapsulation matrices and structural materials. The objective is to improve product stability and reduce the need for preservatives in cosmetic formulations. In the coming months, the project will begin pilot activities for nutrient recovery, deliver the first algae extracts and oils for product development, and advance sustainability and market acceptance studies to prepare a new generation of algae-based products for the European market.
Source: AIMPLAS, MULTIPLY: AIMPLAS participates in a project to develop 10 algae-based products for 5 key sectors. Press release, 24 February 2026.
