Descrizione del progetto
Un indicatore tattile della freschezza per ridurre gli sprechi alimentari
Le date di scadenza sulle confezioni alimentari non sono accurate: non significano, infatti, che il prodotto non sarà più commestibile dopo il giorno riportato. Sebbene siano orientative, tali indicazioni provocano sprechi alimentari, emissioni di gas serra e lo spreco di acqua potabile, oltre a danneggiare le attività commerciali. Gli studi dimostrano che gran parte degli alimenti (il 60 %) scaduti secondo quanto riportato sulle etichette sono in realtà commestibili. Mimica ha sviluppato un’etichetta per la scadenza degli alimenti che funge da indicatore tattile della freschezza e simula accuratamente il tasso di decomposizione dei cibi. L’indicatore si basa su una gelatina progettata allo scopo, che viene esposta alle stesse condizioni del cibo e dei gas emessi dagli alimenti in decomposizione, indicando quindi in tempo reale lo stato del prodotto. Il progetto Mimica, finanziato dall’UE, commercializzerà l’etichetta-indicatore, identificando partenariati commerciali e i potenziali clienti.
Obiettivo
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.
Campo scientifico
- 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
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Invito a presentare proposte
Vedi altri progetti per questo bandoBando secondario
H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1
Meccanismo di finanziamento
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinatore
EC2A 4DP LONDON
Regno Unito
L’organizzazione si è definita una PMI (piccola e media impresa) al momento della firma dell’accordo di sovvenzione.