This innovation aims to investigate and experiment with materials for growing and packaging potted plants that are alternatives to non-biodegradable chemically synthesised plastics.

The objective is the replacement, which is intended to increase over time and throughout the territory, of conventionally used materials (e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene used for pots, containers, various accessories for plant identification, bags and cones for packaging) with others offering similar functions, but that are biodegradable or compostable [e.g. Polylactic acid (PLA); CPLA (crystallised polylactic acid); vegetable compost-based aggregates; rice husk and chaff thermoforms; cellulose pulp thermoforms that are waterproofed using biodegradable materials; wheat and maize flour based products (Biolice)].

These will be chosen on the basis of:

·        Comparison tests between innovative biodegradable/compostable and conventional non-biodegradable/compostable materials

·        Quality and durability of innovative materials, in relation to environmental conditions and the use requirements, both of the producer and of any intermediary and end consumer;

·        Economic costs of replacement, in relation to the environmental costs of using synthetic plastics and the effect of such replacement on the image of the products and the territory;

·        Specific requirements of the different target markets (countries), distribution groups (large-scale retail chains, garden centres, etc.) and type of production certification (integrated or organic).