Digital innovation in sustainable packaging and 3D-printed prosthetics

The Verso project, led by the Aimplas Center for Plastics Technology, is testing the application of a digital product pass (DPP) to advance reusable plastic packaging systems. Funded by the Valencian Institute for Competitiveness and Innovation (IVACE+i) with European Regional Development Fund resources, the initiative focuses on traceability, transparency, and eco-design. By utilizing a ‘Safe and Sustainable by Design’ approach, the project aims to optimize the entire lifecycle of packaging to meet European regulatory requirements and promote a circular economy.

In the medical field, the NaRo-3D research project is developing a method to manufacture prosthetic sockets more efficiently using bio-based, 3D-printable materials. This digital manufacturing process aims to bridge the gap in prosthetic care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to trained specialists is limited. The project involves the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and Automation, Tecnaro, and DOI ortho-innovativ, utilizing high-tech bio-materials such as bio-polyolefins and bio-polyesters to create sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products.