Description du projet
Moins de gaspillage alimentaire grâce à un indicateur de fraîcheur tactile
Les dates de péremption sur les emballages des denrées alimentaires ne sont pas exactes, en ce sens qu’elles laissent entendre que l’aliment n’est plus consommable après la date indiquée. Les dates de péremption, bien qu’indicatives, entraînent un gaspillage alimentaire, des émissions de gaz à effet de serre ainsi qu’un gaspillage d’eau potable, sans oublier qu’elles nuisent aussi aux entreprises. Des études montrent que la plupart des aliments (60 %) ayant atteint la date de préemption indiquée sont encore comestibles. Mimica a développé un indicateur de fraîcheur tactile et une étiquette de péremption des aliments qui imite avec précision le taux de décomposition des aliments. Cet indicateur utilise une gélatine spécialement conçue, qui est exposée aux mêmes conditions que les aliments et aux gaz émis par les aliments en décomposition, donnant ainsi une indication en temps réel de l’état du produit. Le projet Mimica Touch, financé par l’UE, commercialisera l’indicateur et identifiera les partenariats commerciaux et clients potentiels.
Objectif
Current printed expiry dates are inaccurate and conservative estimates, which can’t predict the condition that the food product is exposed to. This results in 33% of all food being wasted (1.2 billion tonnes). Of this food 60% is still edible and was disposed of prematurely. Food waste also causes 1.6 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases, wastage of 40-50% of drinking water and many retailers and consumers to spend excess money on wasted food.
Mimica Touch is a tactile freshness indicator and food expiry label that uses specifically designed gelatine to accurately mimic the decay rate of food. The gel is exposed to both the same conditions as the food and the off-gases emitted from expiring food, thus giving a real-time indication of the product’s freshness. The gelatine is specifically calibrated to experience and mimic each food product’s decay. It offers many benefits: Low-cost, accurate solution; Food waste reduction; Increased food safety; Valorises waste material; Improved social inclusion; and Applicable in a wide range of uses and industries.
Mimica Touch is the only tactile food expiration indicator that is biologically active, resulting in an unrivalled accuracy. Not only can it significantly reduce food waste but also offers and increase to profits and savings for all stakeholders. Mimica resides in the UK, where the technology was first developed and where significant links with customers and users of the solution have been secured. Within the project, Mimica intend to hire personnel to identify commercial partnerships and possible clients throughout Europe. Mimica foresee future employment growth of 32 jobs in the early stages of commercialisation.
The proposed work in Phase 1 of the SME instrument fits into the overall plan to reach market by contributing the financial resources needed for a fast, sound & wider deployment of the bioreactive food expiry label & the market uptake.
Champ scientifique
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processesdrinking water treatment processes
- agricultural sciencesanimal and dairy sciencedairy
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturefruit growing
- engineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesfood technologyfood safety
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturevegetable growing
Programme(s)
Régime de financement
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinateur
EC2A 4DP LONDON
Royaume-Uni
L’entreprise s’est définie comme une PME (petite et moyenne entreprise) au moment de la signature de la convention de subvention.