Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SISTERS (Systemic Innovations for a SusTainable reduction of the EuRopean food waStage)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-05-01 bis 2024-10-31
Every year, around 89M tons of Food Loss and Waste (FLW) are generated only in the EU, accounting for 20% of the total food produced, with costs estimated at 143 Bn, impacting each stage of the Food Value Chain. SISTERS proposes a set of systemic innovations addressed to reduce FLW generated in every stage of the Food Value Chain in Europe that will solve main existing challenges in Production, Processing, Marketing (retailing/wholesaling), Consumption, and the Logistics, among stages.
The specific objectives of SISTERS project are:
SO1. To provide effective tools to primary producers for promoting direct and Short Chain sales, with impact at European level, in order to reduce food losses during the stage of food production. The feasibility study was ready in February 2022 and the first version of the Short Chain Platform was presented in December 2022.
SO2. To reduce food losses during transportation integrating an effective tracking system into innovative containers. At this point in the project, the sensor kit has been produced for the transportation of bulk food. A report was issued July 2022 about the BulkBox Sensor Kit prototype and its deploy for testing and the first test was completed. A similar report was released in April 2023 regarding the StoreBox Sensor Kit prototype.
SO3. To generate a range of high-performing, biodegradable, recyclable and compostable packaging materials. The report with specifications for the food packaging value chain was completed and submitted in October 2022. Two generations of materials have been accomplished and characterized to investigate their thermal stability and mechanical properties. In addition, first biodegradability and disintegration tests were carried out.
SO4. To demonstrate superior performance of the SISTERS food packaging. The development of flexible film materials (stretch films, sealing films) and rigid packaging and further characterization has been carried out.
SO5. To deliver social, economic, and environmental-climatic co-benefits of the SISTERS project. The team has been working also in studying the state-of-the-art of the consumer perception towards bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable packaging and sustainable labelling systems. This information was compiled in the report from consumers for packaging prototyping, submitted in July 2022.
SO6. To raise awareness among retailers and consumers for reducing food waste during consumption. The Dissemination & Communication Plan was finalised and submitted April 2022. The project website and blog were prepared and submitted as deliverable also in April 2022. The information about the Communication Team goals was compiled in another report submitted May 2022. Different specific D&C plans were issues for producers, distributors, processors and consumers.
SO7. To establish cross-sector synergies and interconnections with related initiatives to incorporate new coordinated schemes in the food system, ensuring EU leadership on sustainable packaging for the food industry.
A mapping activity of the EU bodies relevant for SISTERS was accomplished. The awarded consortiums in the Green Deal, Farm To Fork topics were contacted and several meetings have been carried out.
The specific objectives of SISTERS project are:
SO1. To provide effective tools to primary producers for promoting direct and Short Chain sales, with impact at European level, in order to reduce food losses during the stage of food production. The feasibility study was ready in February 2022 and the first version of the Short Chain Platform was presented in December 2022.
SO2. To reduce food losses during transportation integrating an effective tracking system into innovative containers. At this point in the project, the sensor kit has been produced for the transportation of bulk food. A report was issued July 2022 about the BulkBox Sensor Kit prototype and its deploy for testing and the first test was completed. A similar report was released in April 2023 regarding the StoreBox Sensor Kit prototype.
SO3. To generate a range of high-performing, biodegradable, recyclable and compostable packaging materials. The report with specifications for the food packaging value chain was completed and submitted in October 2022. Two generations of materials have been accomplished and characterized to investigate their thermal stability and mechanical properties. In addition, first biodegradability and disintegration tests were carried out.
SO4. To demonstrate superior performance of the SISTERS food packaging. The development of flexible film materials (stretch films, sealing films) and rigid packaging and further characterization has been carried out.
SO5. To deliver social, economic, and environmental-climatic co-benefits of the SISTERS project. The team has been working also in studying the state-of-the-art of the consumer perception towards bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable packaging and sustainable labelling systems. This information was compiled in the report from consumers for packaging prototyping, submitted in July 2022.
SO6. To raise awareness among retailers and consumers for reducing food waste during consumption. The Dissemination & Communication Plan was finalised and submitted April 2022. The project website and blog were prepared and submitted as deliverable also in April 2022. The information about the Communication Team goals was compiled in another report submitted May 2022. Different specific D&C plans were issues for producers, distributors, processors and consumers.
SO7. To establish cross-sector synergies and interconnections with related initiatives to incorporate new coordinated schemes in the food system, ensuring EU leadership on sustainable packaging for the food industry.
A mapping activity of the EU bodies relevant for SISTERS was accomplished. The awarded consortiums in the Green Deal, Farm To Fork topics were contacted and several meetings have been carried out.
SISTERS has designed the 1st European Short Chain Platform for farmers to sell their discarded production, favouring local economies, providing access to nutritious and healthy food to the less favoured consumers. Different features has been included in the Platform to enhance its usability thanks to the feedback obtained from the end users that has already tested it.
Smart and reusable food containers have been designed to reduce food loss during transportation and storage, maintaining bulk and packed food products in ideal conditions with new accurate sensors allowing immediate reaction. The work package developing the Innovative Action Plan for the Logistics Stage has been focused on defining the requirements and specifications needed to produce an Integrated Sensor Kit to be installed in the BulkBox and StoreBox containers to monitor key parameters. The prototypes of the Sensor kits have been tested and placed into the BulkBox and StoreBox. Real transportation tests have been made at FEM, PROEXPORT, EROSKI and RIBEREBRO also the StoreBox has been tested for the storage of packed products. Analysis of the results for the BulkBox are available and currently StoreBox trials are finishing.
Moreover, to improve the preservation and quality of food a set of bio-based and home compostable packaging solutions have been developed. A 3rd Generation materials have been prepared at pilot stage andflexible and rigid packaging was prepared. With this results, the final formulations have been selected and the industrial upscale have been accomplished. Regarding the development of the bioactive food packaging additives, the best food waste source and extraction method was selected and the first demonstrators were prepared. Smart labels have been selected and trials will start soon for their validation.
Policy-related works in WP7 have continued the work in the project-wide report on FLW in Europe and the participation in the Green Deal Working Groups with other related projects.
Dissemination & Communication (WP8) progress based on the KPI goals is still making solid progress. 4 out of 5 technical papers have been issued during the second reporting period, 4 out of 5 actions with policy makers have been conducted (including policy briefs, a joint policy statement and a joint letter), and the general project communication, website, and coordination of the partners’ contributions are on track. Communication KPIs progress well and some overall goals for the project have already been met.
Smart and reusable food containers have been designed to reduce food loss during transportation and storage, maintaining bulk and packed food products in ideal conditions with new accurate sensors allowing immediate reaction. The work package developing the Innovative Action Plan for the Logistics Stage has been focused on defining the requirements and specifications needed to produce an Integrated Sensor Kit to be installed in the BulkBox and StoreBox containers to monitor key parameters. The prototypes of the Sensor kits have been tested and placed into the BulkBox and StoreBox. Real transportation tests have been made at FEM, PROEXPORT, EROSKI and RIBEREBRO also the StoreBox has been tested for the storage of packed products. Analysis of the results for the BulkBox are available and currently StoreBox trials are finishing.
Moreover, to improve the preservation and quality of food a set of bio-based and home compostable packaging solutions have been developed. A 3rd Generation materials have been prepared at pilot stage andflexible and rigid packaging was prepared. With this results, the final formulations have been selected and the industrial upscale have been accomplished. Regarding the development of the bioactive food packaging additives, the best food waste source and extraction method was selected and the first demonstrators were prepared. Smart labels have been selected and trials will start soon for their validation.
Policy-related works in WP7 have continued the work in the project-wide report on FLW in Europe and the participation in the Green Deal Working Groups with other related projects.
Dissemination & Communication (WP8) progress based on the KPI goals is still making solid progress. 4 out of 5 technical papers have been issued during the second reporting period, 4 out of 5 actions with policy makers have been conducted (including policy briefs, a joint policy statement and a joint letter), and the general project communication, website, and coordination of the partners’ contributions are on track. Communication KPIs progress well and some overall goals for the project have already been met.
Until now, it has been developed the overall Market Analysis of the Food Value Chain, with focus on FLW, the Individual Market Analyses for the solutions brough by SISTERS at each step of the Food Value Chain, the Commercial formulation of the comprehensive value proposition and the preliminary list of Key Exploitable Results (KERs) brought by SISTERS.
The PESTEL analysis, Business Model Canvas of SISTERS, SWOT analysis of SISTERS, Four Fits analysis of SISTERS and IPR Strategy of SISTERS, considered all the KERs set. All this work has been compiled in two deliverables, the Exploitation Plan and the IPR strategy.
An initial report of the situation of FLW in Europe has been developed for policy making interests. The report includes an evaluation of the European entities working in this field, a summary of relevant data and studies, and contains a general overview of European policies and regulations that affect the food wastage topic, investigating barriers and actual tools designed with the view of fighting FLW. The Report includes an Annex showing European projects dealing with the food waste related topics, result of a mapping exercise. The analysis has served as a basis for the discussion in the Working Groups as part of the activities planned for the specific Work Package dedicated to the synergies with the European Commission services and other relevant projects, where inputs will be gathered thanks to the contribution of participants.
The PESTEL analysis, Business Model Canvas of SISTERS, SWOT analysis of SISTERS, Four Fits analysis of SISTERS and IPR Strategy of SISTERS, considered all the KERs set. All this work has been compiled in two deliverables, the Exploitation Plan and the IPR strategy.
An initial report of the situation of FLW in Europe has been developed for policy making interests. The report includes an evaluation of the European entities working in this field, a summary of relevant data and studies, and contains a general overview of European policies and regulations that affect the food wastage topic, investigating barriers and actual tools designed with the view of fighting FLW. The Report includes an Annex showing European projects dealing with the food waste related topics, result of a mapping exercise. The analysis has served as a basis for the discussion in the Working Groups as part of the activities planned for the specific Work Package dedicated to the synergies with the European Commission services and other relevant projects, where inputs will be gathered thanks to the contribution of participants.