ARJOWIGGINS FRANCE

Their core work

Arjowiggins is a major French specialty paper manufacturer that brings its paper substrate expertise into EU research on printed electronics and bio-based materials. In H2020 projects, they contribute knowledge of nanocellulose-based substrates, smart paper functionalization, and sustainable packaging materials. Their role bridges traditional paper manufacturing with advanced applications like printed sensors, smart labels, and plant-based biomaterials for industrial use.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their earliest H2020 involvement (INNPAPER, 2018) centered on nanocellulose and paper as a platform for printed biosensors and smart labels — essentially proving paper could be a functional electronic substrate. By 2020-2021, the focus shifted toward industrial manufacturing processes (in-mold electronics, spray coating, screen printing in MADRAS) and sustainable biomaterial deployment at pilot-line scale (INN-PRESSME). The trajectory shows a clear move from lab-scale paper electronics toward scalable production and bio-based material commercialization.

Arjowiggins is moving from printed electronics research toward industrial-scale deployment of sustainable, plant-based functional materials — a strong fit for partners working on green manufacturing and circular packaging.

How they like to work

Arjowiggins operates exclusively as a participant or third-party contributor, never as coordinator — consistent with a large industrial company bringing manufacturing expertise into research-driven consortia. With 62 unique partners across 15 countries in just 3 projects, they work within large, multi-national consortia typical of Innovation Actions and RIA projects. Their role is that of an industrial end-user or materials provider rather than a project driver.

Despite only 3 projects, Arjowiggins has built a broad network of 62 partners across 15 countries, reflecting the large consortium sizes of their IA and RIA projects. Their reach spans across Europe with no obvious single-country concentration.

What sets them apart

Arjowiggins sits at a rare intersection: a large-scale paper manufacturer with demonstrated R&D capacity in printed electronics and nano-enabled biomaterials. Few industrial partners can offer both the deep materials science knowledge (nanocellulose, conductive inks) and the manufacturing infrastructure to take these technologies from lab to pilot line. For consortium builders, they bring credible industrial validation and a pathway to market that pure research partners cannot.

Highlights from their portfolio

• MADRAS
  Largest funded project (EUR 188,831) covering the full spectrum of printed electronics materials — from silver nanowires to PEDOT — with direct industrial manufacturing focus (in-mold, screen printing).
• INN-PRESSME
  Most recent and forward-looking project (2021-2025), targeting pilot-line scale deployment of plant-based biomaterials across packaging, transport, and consumer goods — signals their strategic direction.
• INNPAPER
  Foundational project linking paper substrates to printed biosensors and point-of-care devices — an unusual crossover between paper manufacturing and health diagnostics.