Italian SME developing biobased coatings, biodegradable adhesives, and sustainable packaging materials from agricultural waste streams.
ARCHA is a Pisa-based SME specializing in biobased materials, sustainable packaging, and food waste valorization. They develop functional coatings, biodegradable adhesives, and bioplastic solutions for the food, pharmaceutical, and industrial packaging sectors. Their applied R&D bridges chemistry and material science — turning agricultural waste streams into usable biobased products like packaging films, bonding materials, and biorefinery outputs. They also contribute expertise in composite recyclability for aeronautical and construction applications.
Core contributor across MANDALA (multilayer-to-monolayer packaging transition), BIOnTop (bioplastic packaging films), ECOFUNCO (biobased coatings), HYPERBIOCOAT (functional polymer coatings), and SISTERS (bio-based food packaging).
Developed biobased bonding materials in VIBES, biodegradable adhesives in MANDALA, and functional biobased coatings in ECOFUNCO.
AgriMax focused on multi-feedstock biorefinery processing of agricultural waste; SISTERS targets systemic food waste reduction.
VIBES project applies supramolecular chemistry (Diels-Alder adducts, vitrimers) to improve recyclability of thermoset composites for aeronautical, construction, and marine sectors.
Contributed to AFarCloud on cyber-physical systems for smart farming and livestock management.
ARCHA's early work (2016–2018) centered on agricultural waste processing and biorefinery technologies — turning food and farm waste into useful byproducts, alongside a foray into smart farming via AFarCloud. From 2019 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward circular packaging: biodegradable adhesives, bioplastic films, compostable coatings, and recyclable composites. The trajectory shows a company that moved from upstream waste valorization to downstream material innovation — designing the actual biobased products rather than just processing the feedstock.
ARCHA is moving toward end-of-life-aware material design — expect future work on compostable, recyclable, and single-polymer packaging solutions aligned with EU circular economy regulations.
ARCHA operates almost exclusively as a participant (8 of 9 projects), bringing specialized materials expertise into larger consortia rather than leading them. Their one coordination was TANNOW, a small SME Phase 1 feasibility study. With 170 unique partners across 24 countries, they are well-networked and clearly trusted as a reliable technical contributor — the kind of partner that gets invited back by different consortia for their specific know-how.
Extensive European network spanning 170 unique partners across 24 countries, built through consistent participation in mid-to-large RIA and IA consortia. No visible geographic clustering — partnerships spread broadly across the EU.
ARCHA sits at the intersection of biobased chemistry and packaging engineering — a combination that is increasingly critical as EU regulations push toward compostable and recyclable food-contact materials. Unlike pure chemistry labs, they work on application-ready materials (coatings, adhesives, films) tested against real packaging requirements. For any consortium needing an Italian SME with hands-on bioplastic and biobased coating expertise, ARCHA is a strong candidate with a proven track record across multiple major EU projects.
