ΑΧΑΙΚΑ ΠΛΑΣΤΙΚΑ ΑΕΒΕ

Application to Organic Fruits and Vegetables

It is aimed at all types of agricultural crops.

Research and testing lasted up to  3 years. Started  2016 to 2019, and the launch of the innovative product will begin immediately.
 

Innovative soil-coating and low-tunnel film, for each culture, coated with biopolymer nanotubes. For the first time a Greek company is making such an application.
 
There are a significant number of companies operating in the plastic packaging industry, varying in size and degree of activity in the various product categories. The existence of a large number of companies in the sector concerned has led to increased competition in plastic packaging. In the field of agrochemical polymer films, there has been considerable growth in recent years due to the shift in interest in high quality natural products. In intensive farming systems, pests (in particular weeds, pathogens and insects) often threaten the quality and efficiency of crops and lead to a 25-50% reduction in crop yields. Huge quantities of synthetic pesticides are used to protect agricultural crops. Specifically, as reported in the Agrow (2007) report, the total value of agrochemicals on the world market was between USD 31-35 million of which 48% and 25% refer to insecticides and fungicides, respectively. Excessive use of synthetic pesticides in arable land has toxicological effects on human health and increased environmental pollution. For this reason new natural pesticides have been developed to replace the banned chemicals. The use of essential oils to control pests and weeds in organic and integrated crop management seems promising but their action is very fast and their effectiveness limited due to the high volatility of the compounds. That is why weed control so far is based on chemical fungicides.
 
Until now patents have been published concerning the development of polymeric films with controlled pesticide release properties, but they have not been used on an industrial scale. The company has succeeded in producing innovative products that will increase its competitiveness in the market by providing smart and environmentally friendly solutions in the production of polymeric greenhouse films applied to integrated crops.
 
ACHAIKA PLASTICS SA  is active in the production of plastic packaging and produces among other products greenhouse films according to the needs of each crop. The company is made up of an experienced interdisciplinary team and specialized staff with years of experience in the field of polymer filmmaking and development. Specifically, the personnel of the company involved in the implementation of the project consist of chemical engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers, as well as specialized personnel that contribute to the execution of the work, as well as the diffusion and management of the project.
 
The company's research relates to the production processes of innovative products that guarantee high quality to its customers and the development of greenhouse films adapted to the contemporary demands of the agricultural market. In the present project, Achaika Plastics  had undertaken extensive project management as well as dissemination and exploitation actions, thus ensuring from the outset that the project's results would be widely recognized and utilized.
 
 

National Technical University of Athens .

Ms. Thanassoulia Ioanna is the project's scientific supervisor, who oversees the smooth operation and execution of the work, organizes dissemination activities and oversees the technical and scientific aspects of the project.

The proposed structure has the advantage of being easily adapted to manage and complete tasks. The company's know-how, which is demonstrated by its participation in various research programs and patents, combined with state-of-the-art equipment, will lead to the successful implementation of the project's objectives.

The National Thechnical University of Athens ,  collaborated on the implementation of the project and provided its know-how in the production of encapsulated substances through the innovative method of electrostatic fibrillation and extrusion.

The scientific team of the ECHR research body consists of 1 Associate Professor, 1 member of laboratory teaching staff, 2 postdoctoral and 2 doctoral candidates.

A total of 16 people were the project's research team.

The Location of the action was the Metsovo Polytechnic in Athens, the ACHAIKA Plastics Plants SA in Komotini Industrial Area, and in Aigio.

The development of innovative plastic soil and low-tunnel plastic film with controlled release of natural pesticides and herbicides is driven by the requirement of consumers and European legislation (Directive 2009/128 / EC) for the sustainable use of pesticides and their replacement with natural hazards the impact of their use on human health and the environment. These plastic films include an innovative range of special pest control films that contribute effectively to new agricultural practices such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Organic Farming (OR) and lead to complete or partial replacement. of chemical pesticides.

The incorporation of essential oils into polymeric matrices can increase their durability by reducing their volatility and slowing the rate of degradation in the environment.

Therefore, the development of innovative polymeric films with embedded natural pesticides

1. is an innovative method of pest control and management; and

2. Helps replace synthetic pesticides with natural.

The use of the innovative electrostatic fiberization method results in the production of films with improved properties such as high surface area to volume due to the high porosity, which favor the controlled release of natural pesticides.

The new films are characterized by

i. very high wash resistance and, consequently,

ii. prolonged bio-efficiency over a long period of time with effect

iii. eliminate repeated spraying of pesticides, which lead to the accumulation of dangerous chemicals in the environment.

The results are now measurable.

Not only in the amount of production, plant growth, fertility but also in the quality of fruit and vegetables.

From the testimonies of the producers who used them, we saw a doubling of production from simple films, without the use of any chemicals or fertilizers. The vegetables are clean, without being hit by bugs and insects, and the production is much earlier.

The development of innovative plastic soil film and low-tunnel films is expected to create profitable opportunities for the business through the commercialization of new processes and bring new practices in organic crop production, such as tomatoes, asparagus, cucumbers and strawberries, thereby giving a strong contribution to competitiveness of the business. The industrialization of this technology is a starting point for their wider application in other crops, even in other industries.