Project description
How smart printing inks are revolutionising cold chain logistics
Food waste and safety are major concerns in cold chain logistics. To strengthen the responsibility of different actors in the cold chain, Slovenian startup MyCol is developing irreversible, temperature-sensitive printing inks for application on a product's packaging that change colour when the temperature exceeds the upper limit. This smart label enables real-time monitoring of products during transport and storage and eliminates the need for expensive monitoring systems. The EU-funded T-Sense project is investigating the technological feasibility and market viability of MyCol's temperature-sensitive inks and developing a commercialisation strategy to ensure there is a clear roadmap to enter the market.
Objective
Subject of the T-Sense project, the irreversible temperature indicator for detection of temperature volatility outside tolerance use irreversible temperature-sensitive printing ink, which changes colour permanently when heated over TA. Ink is developed solely by MyCol, as it is currently unavailable on the market. Irreversible printing inks, are applied as certain design of print on a suitable substrate (paper, foil, packaging). The speed of the used screen-printing is as high as 100 m/min, which enable mass production and a low price per piece. Thus, temperature indicators are feasible for each individual product / package in the cold supply chain with almost negligible investment for a customer. Also subject of the feasibility study, the time temperature indicator (TTI) is the active material used in Cold chain is temperature-controlled supply chain for products, such as fresh and frozen food, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
Why is T-Sense important? Because each producer that enters cold chain should count at least 10% of the turnover as a waste due to lack of control in the chain! Here we are dividing the responsibility among all actors across the supply chain and empower producers to increase the level of control in production. This problem is our business opportunity. University of Ljubljana recognized the innovation potential by awarding the Innovation of the Year to the authors, who are also MyCol founders. We (4 female scientists-entrepreneurs) have started MyCol company as a spin-off from National Institute of Chemistry, second-ranking scientific institution in Slovenia. We produce innovative labels, new at the global level, applicable to any reasonably smooth surface, low-cost, needing no energy supply, which show temperature changes in the cold chain with the naked eye (or by video camera). Launching this product portfolio on the market, we strongly believe it can benefit to individual links in the cold supply chain, mostly on producer side.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringmanufacturing engineering
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcolors
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsoptical sensors
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugs
- engineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesfood technologyfood packaging
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.