Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ifoodbag gen2 (Unique, low-cost, low-footprint, reusable hybrid carrier bag system that enables food to be kept cold/frozen for up to 24 hours)
Reporting period: 2017-05-01 to 2018-04-30
The development of cold chain, a temperature controlled logistic system, has made it possible to transport fresh/frozen food and pharma over long distances from point of production to point of sale. However, getting frozen or cooled foodstuffs safely across the ‘last mile’ - from grocery point to point of use - is a challenge that so far has not been well solved. The result of breaks in the ‘last mile’ of the cold chain is poor food quality. Every year roughly one-third of the total food production (ca. 1.3 billion tons), half of which in logistic and consumption stage, is lost or wasted globally. This means that a huge part of the resources and greenhouse emissions in food production is wasted. The most common solution for the ‘last mile’ challenge is presently using plastic bags, which only solve one aspect of the problem – light, cheap bags that do not disintegrate on the way to homes – but with a low performance in temperature retention and ushering an environmental disaster. 60 countries have so far introduced bans or levies on single-use plastics according to a UN report in 2018. Profitability and the rate of expansion of on-line grocery stores are also stunted by limited access to refrigerated vehicles and high logistics costs.
In this Horizon2020 project the objective was to develop the ifoodbag gen2 system. A unique invention that combines the eco-friendliness of a standard paper bag, the moisture-resistant properties of a plastic bag, the durability of a cool box and the ability to keep food chilled or frozen in a final mile solution for - but not limited to - the online grocery retail business. The ifoodbag gen2 carrier bag was planned to be designed to be made of an eco-friendly and durable composite material which enables ifoodbag products to be reused and ultimately fully recycled.
In this project, ifoodbag planned to create an improved “second generation” ifoodbag system, with higher performance and lower costs, based on direct customer requirements feedback. One of the main features was that the system combines a paper composite carrier bag - ifoodbag®, passive coolants and a rigid outer container - iBox™. Production methodology and supply chain was planned to be improved and streamlined. Intellectual Properties were planned to be protected with global reach. The overall objective of this project was having a gen2 of ifoodbag system ready for market launch, capable of reducing the plastic bag and Styrofoam box use for temperature-controlled goods, helping to decarbonise the online grocery segment.
In this Horizon2020 project the objective was to develop the ifoodbag gen2 system. A unique invention that combines the eco-friendliness of a standard paper bag, the moisture-resistant properties of a plastic bag, the durability of a cool box and the ability to keep food chilled or frozen in a final mile solution for - but not limited to - the online grocery retail business. The ifoodbag gen2 carrier bag was planned to be designed to be made of an eco-friendly and durable composite material which enables ifoodbag products to be reused and ultimately fully recycled.
In this project, ifoodbag planned to create an improved “second generation” ifoodbag system, with higher performance and lower costs, based on direct customer requirements feedback. One of the main features was that the system combines a paper composite carrier bag - ifoodbag®, passive coolants and a rigid outer container - iBox™. Production methodology and supply chain was planned to be improved and streamlined. Intellectual Properties were planned to be protected with global reach. The overall objective of this project was having a gen2 of ifoodbag system ready for market launch, capable of reducing the plastic bag and Styrofoam box use for temperature-controlled goods, helping to decarbonise the online grocery segment.
ifoodbag AB has gained extensive knowledge about the final mile cold logistics during the project period. By collecting, analyzing and documenting the requirements from a great number of potential customers in various segments, geographies and with different prerequisites, the product and system specifications has been developed.
ifoodbag bag prototypes of many different composite materials have been created and evaluated in relation to the diversified customer needs.
Based on the experience gained throughout the project, a new testing methodology has been created, with improved ability of simulating different real-life environments with consistent results. Furthermore, ifoodbag has built an in-house laboratory to minimise the use of subcontractors for increased flexibility at reduced cost.
ifoodbag AB has performed a vast number of trials to scrutinize and evaluate the performance of the ifoodbag system. Since carrier bag, passive coolants and iBox are the major components of the system, each one of them is used as a variable when evaluating the performance of the combined system. The evaluation has been done both for refrigerated and frozen food and for different customer types, in laboratory scale as well as in customer real life environment (in commercial pilot proof-of-concept trials). The results show that with an optimized combination of these three variables for each situation the performance of the system can reach a performance of up to 24 hours as set out. However, in general, the performance of the first zero series could not meet the high expectations from all the customers. Trial data from the first zero series suggested increased thermal resistance was needed to enhance the stand-alone performance. Based on the gathered information a new ifoodbag zero series has been handmade and tested with promising results. The final configuration of the gen2 system has not yet been locked, even though the results are well underway.
Cost-benefits analysis for end-customers indicates that by adopting the ifoodbag gen2 system, customers can benefit in supply chain management, financial, customer satisfaction, social appearance and/or - not the least important – contribute to the important fight against plastic.
A global IPR strategy has been developed and the results of the R&D work have regularly been incorporated in the extensive patent registration documentation. ifoodbag system, process and methodology are patent pending in more than 45 countries. Trademarks, design and domains are also being registered and protected.
A conscious brand marketing, regular communication activities and a keen interest from media has created a wide spread awareness of ifoodbag and its promising last-mile solution.
ifoodbag AB intends to continue its exclusive collaboration with global packaging company Mondi in the production of ifoodbag gen2 products. The production capacity for at least the first two years has been secured through this parternship. The production process and the supply chain has been analysed in the project and several improvements has been identified, cutting lead times and reducing cost and risk. A production process manual, a quality assurance and verification procedure has been prepared, as well as a customer usage manual in pictures and words.
In addition to the testing of thermal performance, the ifoodbag gen2 has passed tests for recyclability, quality and food safety management. ifoodbag AB has developed the testing protocol used to examine the recyclability of ifoodbag products together with its development partners. A 3rd party has validated that the production process meets regulatory requirements and applicable standards for food packaging.
ifoodbag bag prototypes of many different composite materials have been created and evaluated in relation to the diversified customer needs.
Based on the experience gained throughout the project, a new testing methodology has been created, with improved ability of simulating different real-life environments with consistent results. Furthermore, ifoodbag has built an in-house laboratory to minimise the use of subcontractors for increased flexibility at reduced cost.
ifoodbag AB has performed a vast number of trials to scrutinize and evaluate the performance of the ifoodbag system. Since carrier bag, passive coolants and iBox are the major components of the system, each one of them is used as a variable when evaluating the performance of the combined system. The evaluation has been done both for refrigerated and frozen food and for different customer types, in laboratory scale as well as in customer real life environment (in commercial pilot proof-of-concept trials). The results show that with an optimized combination of these three variables for each situation the performance of the system can reach a performance of up to 24 hours as set out. However, in general, the performance of the first zero series could not meet the high expectations from all the customers. Trial data from the first zero series suggested increased thermal resistance was needed to enhance the stand-alone performance. Based on the gathered information a new ifoodbag zero series has been handmade and tested with promising results. The final configuration of the gen2 system has not yet been locked, even though the results are well underway.
Cost-benefits analysis for end-customers indicates that by adopting the ifoodbag gen2 system, customers can benefit in supply chain management, financial, customer satisfaction, social appearance and/or - not the least important – contribute to the important fight against plastic.
A global IPR strategy has been developed and the results of the R&D work have regularly been incorporated in the extensive patent registration documentation. ifoodbag system, process and methodology are patent pending in more than 45 countries. Trademarks, design and domains are also being registered and protected.
A conscious brand marketing, regular communication activities and a keen interest from media has created a wide spread awareness of ifoodbag and its promising last-mile solution.
ifoodbag AB intends to continue its exclusive collaboration with global packaging company Mondi in the production of ifoodbag gen2 products. The production capacity for at least the first two years has been secured through this parternship. The production process and the supply chain has been analysed in the project and several improvements has been identified, cutting lead times and reducing cost and risk. A production process manual, a quality assurance and verification procedure has been prepared, as well as a customer usage manual in pictures and words.
In addition to the testing of thermal performance, the ifoodbag gen2 has passed tests for recyclability, quality and food safety management. ifoodbag AB has developed the testing protocol used to examine the recyclability of ifoodbag products together with its development partners. A 3rd party has validated that the production process meets regulatory requirements and applicable standards for food packaging.
The developed ifoodbag gen2 prototypes are intelligent paper carrier bags and system to solve the ‘last mile’ challenge and have the following functionalities beyond the state of the art:
• Keep fresh and frozen food for up to 24 hours
• Biodegradable and recyclable
• High sustainability (low footprint since they are produced from paper composite)
• Easy to use design
Ifoodbag AB expects the following impacts after the launch of gen2 products into market:
• Reduce the CAPEX, OPEX and carbon footprint of logistic chain for chilled and frozen food
• Replace the use of plastic carrier bag for temperature-controlled goods
• Reduce the environmental pollution caused by plastic bags
• Decrease the food waste by enable an unbroken cold chain
• Decrease the cases of poisoning and illness by consuming spoiled food
• Create new opportunities for food/pharma segments and their logistics
• Create/facilitate new business opportunities for the food retail segment
• Keep fresh and frozen food for up to 24 hours
• Biodegradable and recyclable
• High sustainability (low footprint since they are produced from paper composite)
• Easy to use design
Ifoodbag AB expects the following impacts after the launch of gen2 products into market:
• Reduce the CAPEX, OPEX and carbon footprint of logistic chain for chilled and frozen food
• Replace the use of plastic carrier bag for temperature-controlled goods
• Reduce the environmental pollution caused by plastic bags
• Decrease the food waste by enable an unbroken cold chain
• Decrease the cases of poisoning and illness by consuming spoiled food
• Create new opportunities for food/pharma segments and their logistics
• Create/facilitate new business opportunities for the food retail segment