Periodic Reporting for period 2 - FRESHTRAY (New multi-active cardboard packaging solution to extend the shelf-life of fresh fruits and vegetables by 40%.)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2019-04-01 do 2020-01-31
SAECO is a Spanish company founded in 1979, dedicated to the manufacturing of corrugated cardboard containers and packaging, aimed at the agri-food and industrial sectors. Our mission is to meet the needs of our customers, manufacturing natural, recyclable and biodegradable packaging. With an annual production of more than 100 million m² and more than 70,000 tonnes of recycled paper and fibre, we are the leaders in our region – Murcia – also known as the “European orchard”. Our customers in the agri-food sector - fresh fruits and vegetables (FF&V) companies - experience challenges in the form of short period of time for marketing of their produce and its relatively quick value decrease. In the EU28, 5% of FF&V yearly traded never reach the supermarket shelves as they are rejected by the retailers, being incompliant with the retailers’ standards. This means a waste of 3.9 million tonnes of food and the loss of €8,970 million. The FF&V spoilage is caused by the activity of micro-organisms (bacteria and fungi) and the FF&V release of ethylene gas. This is a biological process that cannot be avoided but that can be slowed down through active packaging. To address these challenges, we have developed Newfresh (commercial name of the project FreshTray) - a new multi-active cardboard packaging solution that delays the FF&V spoilage process, increases the FF&V shelf-life by +40% as well as improves their quality and freshness. Newfresh is based on the application of a patented advanced multi-active coating that shows antimicrobial, antioxidant and ethylene scavenger properties. The multi-active coating is applied over the inner surface of the cardboard, enabling its use in a variety of packaging solutions. Newfresh is an innovative solution to significantly diminish FF&V discards in Europe.
The implementation of the FreshTray project is based on a 20-month work plan, divided in the following 6 work-packages: WP1. Through conduction of in-vitro testing and pilot trials, the multi-active coating formula for the 4 target products (lettuce, nectarine, grape and orange) was developed and optimised. WP2. Design of different micro-corrugated cardboard multi-active packaging elements & selection of the most optimal structure. Industrial process for manufacturing of Newfresh was incorporated at our premises. WP3. Through trials at pilot-scale and at the premises of different industrial validators, the optimised multi-active packaging was validated in regard to the four produces. These trials has proven the increase by 40% of self-life extension and quality enhancement of FF&V thanks to our solution. Moreover, the quality assessment performed in the supply chain at selected destinations, shows very satisfactory results from an economic perspective. The excellent quality of the product in the selected destination means a lot for FF&V companies who will be in a better position to increase their revenues due to multiple factors: significant reduction of exports losses due to the control of the spoilage of produces, higher return of the investment linked to the increase of the product quality, reaching more & distant destinations which are high value markets. WP4. FRESHTRAY team has implemented communication and dissemination activities to inform about the project results and to highlight the added value that Newfresh technology could have for the Agricultural sector - FF&V companies. For them, Newfresh means a flexible and feasible solution to the spoilage problem of their products, increasing significantly their revenues. In addition, this technology will contribute significantly to reduce agriculture waste and CO2 emissions, having a positive impact on society and the environment. FRESHTRAY project´ team has made several efforts to make the Newfresh technology known among the potential clients and key stakeholders in the FF&V supply chain. In parallel the team has done a market analysis to identify main market segments and needs as well as consumer trends. From this analysis, useful information has been utilized to fine-tune the communication and dissemination of our innovation to our targets. In addition, the team has performed important steps for the commercialization of Newfresh such as the establishment of commercial agreements with potential clients, the extension of the patent beyond national frontiers and the fulfilment of regulatory procedures in regard to health legislation. WP5:The project management was set in place in order to ensure the most efficient conduction of project tasks, monitoring of the project progress and alignment with the project´s objectives. Risk management was introduced, allowing for recognition of risks encountered during project implementation and identification of new potential risks. The project has been executed in line with the initial work plan and no major deviations have occurred. WP6. Report describing ethical issues in relation to the environmental protection and operation safety management was prepared, and measures to address such issues at the company introduced.
Newfresh is a step forward in the state-of-the-art. The current packaging solutions available in the market that aim at extending the FF&V shelf-life are based on solutions that cause consumers´ distrust (fruit coating, UV radiation), some even not authorised in some EU member states (UV radiation), or are developed for low-volume packaging and increase considerably the product final price (modified atmosphere, sachets and films).
Newfresh, with the use of nanotechnology and excellent properties of the ingredients of its multi-active coating (antimicrobial, antioxidant and ethylene scavenger), extends the FF&V shelf-life in a natural and cost-efficient way. The multi-active coating of Newfresh is fully integrated in the packaging system and can be applied to different types of packaging solutions, allowing its use for products in bulk packaging and packed in flow pack or in individual wrapping. The main outcome of the project is the full market-readiness of Newfresh. Once released to the market, Newfresh will have a significant impact on the operations of the FF&V companies. Our solution will enable them to market a high quality product of an extended shelf-life, this way reducing their economic losses by 50% (estimation) related to the high produce spoilage. Moreover, our customers will experience up to 20% income increase due to the higher price perceived and the lower amount of produce rejected. The FF&V companies will gain in flexibility and bargaining power as they will be able to choose the right moment to sell their produce according to the market prices or to cost-effectively export it to further destinations where higher price can be perceived. Newfresh will contribute significantly to solving part of the problem of wasting agri-food products in the supply chain. By reducing the waste of FF&V (by estimated 50%) NewFresh will contribute to alleviate the CO2 emissions discharged in vain to the atmosphere and reduce the negative impact on natural resources use.
Newfresh, with the use of nanotechnology and excellent properties of the ingredients of its multi-active coating (antimicrobial, antioxidant and ethylene scavenger), extends the FF&V shelf-life in a natural and cost-efficient way. The multi-active coating of Newfresh is fully integrated in the packaging system and can be applied to different types of packaging solutions, allowing its use for products in bulk packaging and packed in flow pack or in individual wrapping. The main outcome of the project is the full market-readiness of Newfresh. Once released to the market, Newfresh will have a significant impact on the operations of the FF&V companies. Our solution will enable them to market a high quality product of an extended shelf-life, this way reducing their economic losses by 50% (estimation) related to the high produce spoilage. Moreover, our customers will experience up to 20% income increase due to the higher price perceived and the lower amount of produce rejected. The FF&V companies will gain in flexibility and bargaining power as they will be able to choose the right moment to sell their produce according to the market prices or to cost-effectively export it to further destinations where higher price can be perceived. Newfresh will contribute significantly to solving part of the problem of wasting agri-food products in the supply chain. By reducing the waste of FF&V (by estimated 50%) NewFresh will contribute to alleviate the CO2 emissions discharged in vain to the atmosphere and reduce the negative impact on natural resources use.