After starting in early June, the partners met in Madrid (Spain) for the official kick-off meeting, marking the launch of this collaborative effort towards sustainable innovation in the coatings sector.
Coatings play a vital role in protecting materials exposed to extreme and demanding conditions – from construction and energy to agriculture and textiles. However, most conventional coatings still depend on fossil-based materials, raising concerns about their environmental footprint and persistence once they degrade.
BIO4COAT aims to change that. This project will develop and validate at TRL5 biobased coating solutions made from polyester-polyols and biomethane. Designed to be biodegradable, recyclable, and non-toxic, these high-performance coatings will be tested across eight key sectors: plastics, hygiene, textiles, agriculture, horticulture, furniture, energy, and construction.
The project officially started with its kick-off meeting in Madrid, June 2025, bringing together partners from research, industry, and innovation across Europe. The event marked the beginning of a shared mission: to demonstrate that coatings can combine durability and sustainability without compromise.
“We are pleased to see this CBE JU-funded project getting underway. BIO4COAT addresses the need to explore biobased alternatives in coatings applications that have not yet been sufficiently researched, and we are ready to take on this challenge in the collaboration with a committed consortium”
Dulce Muñoz, Ph.D, Funditec, BIO4COAT project coordinator.
Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD)
BIO4COAT integrates a Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) approach to ensure minimal environmental impact and measurable benefits, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, circular end-of-life options, and improved safety. By leveraging Europe’s most advanced biorefinery technology, including Novamont’s innovative process for 1,4-biobutanediol (1,4-bioBDO) production from sugars, the project paves the way for a new generation of sustainable coating solutions.
What’s next?
Over the next four years, BIO4COAT will validate these bio-based coatings under extreme and demanding conditions, proving that high performance and sustainability can go hand in hand.
Stay tuned for further BIO4COAT news!