Periodic Reporting for period 3 - MILDTECH (Affordable, low temperature, rapid and energy efficient dual frequency microwave assisted vacuum system for drying and cooking foods)
Reporting period: 2021-10-01 to 2022-07-31
Freshseal Ltd. has been providing food processing and packaging solutions for over 20 years. Driven by a mission to provide the world with healthier and tastier food, we have been investing in research and development thanks to our involvement in the European Framework Programme, whereby over the years, our company has been a key driver behind the scaling up of a revolutionary new food cooking and drying method. Thanks to a novel combination of vacuum and a new source of microwave frequency produced from a solid-state generator, our ground-breaking Mildtech system is capable of cooking or drying foods under milder (which do not diminish the vitamin content, texture, or taste and which affords extended shelf-life), faster and more energy efficient conditions, delivering benefits for food processors, consumers and the environment.
Check out our YouTube channel to view our machines: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChLNalnHof-1EjizCy5Ba9g/featured
Check out our YouTube channel to view our machines: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChLNalnHof-1EjizCy5Ba9g/featured
We have successfully finalised our Mildtech EIC Accelerator project, which has had a total duration of 32 months (running from Dec 2019 to July 2022). Despite the challenges, disruptions and uncertainties posed by Brexit, the global covid-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine, we have managed to overcome these, thanks to the resilience of our team and the support and flexibility of the funding body in granting us project extensions.
Over the course of the project, we have been able to design, build and optimise our novel cooking/drying machines (in industrial, catering, and domestic formats). Our machines can also be smartly controlled thanks to a deep-tech PAT (process analytical technology)-enabled control system, and a scalable library of recipes that help to automate optimal cooking and drying of a whole variety of popular and new foods. We have also filed two patent applications that embody a combination of the key novelties, which will help to moat our technology from the competition in the future. In short, thanks to invaluable EU support through the Horizon 2020 European Programme for Research and Innovation, we have been able to accelerate the development of our technology and we are pioneers of a new way of cooking and drying foodstuff that entails milder and shorter processing times, lower energy consumption, the safeguarding of organoleptic properties and better nutritional features. We set up the manufacturing and quality control processes, secure our supply chain, and we have also generated the interest of early adopters and first clients (many of whom we have had the opportunity to demonstrate our machines to over the course of the project).
We are now ready for market, and we intend to commercialise our machines under the trademarked 'Mildtech' brand. Thanks to the platform that the EIC programme has raised us to, it also opened new opportunities for our company, whereby for example in July 2021 we were selected as one of just 10 UK companies to be part of the EIT Food Accelerator Network, that connects businesses with industry-leading corporate and research partners to pilot their technology and drive a successful market adoption. The programme involved 10 weeks of comprehensive mentoring in business related activities and in commercialisation strategies, which we found particularly valuable. Over the course of the project, thanks to the acceleration and close to market activities that we have been able to perform, we have been able to generate significant interest among the food industry in our Mildtech technology, from large global food brands to small-scale producers and caterers alike. Moreover, we have identified opportunities to extend the application of our technology to industries beyond food, such as nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and recycling.
Over the course of the project, we have been able to design, build and optimise our novel cooking/drying machines (in industrial, catering, and domestic formats). Our machines can also be smartly controlled thanks to a deep-tech PAT (process analytical technology)-enabled control system, and a scalable library of recipes that help to automate optimal cooking and drying of a whole variety of popular and new foods. We have also filed two patent applications that embody a combination of the key novelties, which will help to moat our technology from the competition in the future. In short, thanks to invaluable EU support through the Horizon 2020 European Programme for Research and Innovation, we have been able to accelerate the development of our technology and we are pioneers of a new way of cooking and drying foodstuff that entails milder and shorter processing times, lower energy consumption, the safeguarding of organoleptic properties and better nutritional features. We set up the manufacturing and quality control processes, secure our supply chain, and we have also generated the interest of early adopters and first clients (many of whom we have had the opportunity to demonstrate our machines to over the course of the project).
We are now ready for market, and we intend to commercialise our machines under the trademarked 'Mildtech' brand. Thanks to the platform that the EIC programme has raised us to, it also opened new opportunities for our company, whereby for example in July 2021 we were selected as one of just 10 UK companies to be part of the EIT Food Accelerator Network, that connects businesses with industry-leading corporate and research partners to pilot their technology and drive a successful market adoption. The programme involved 10 weeks of comprehensive mentoring in business related activities and in commercialisation strategies, which we found particularly valuable. Over the course of the project, thanks to the acceleration and close to market activities that we have been able to perform, we have been able to generate significant interest among the food industry in our Mildtech technology, from large global food brands to small-scale producers and caterers alike. Moreover, we have identified opportunities to extend the application of our technology to industries beyond food, such as nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and recycling.
Our machines for cooking and drying foods come in industrial, catering, and domestic formats. Mildtech technology enables the cooking and drying of foods more quickly (up to 40% faster) and at lower temperatures (up to 35 ºC), dramatically reducing energy (up to 80% in some cases), resulting in lower carbon emissions, cost savings, and, importantly, the production of better tasting food that retains its organoleptic and nutritious value, where we can fully dry fruit, milk and fruit juices at less than 35 degrees Celsius, which keeps all the vitamins intact where otherwise they would be destroyed. This makes our machines invaluable for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. We can produce fruit marmalades by drying juices to the required consistency without using sugars or thickening agents or artificial preservatives.
In addition to combining microwave and vacuum, Mildtech embeds Industry 4.0 process analytical technology-based automated quality control, as well as Artificial Intelligence tools, that use recipe-based Machine Learning for facilitating the production of optimal quality and healthy foods.
In short, Mildtech is a truly game-changing innovation that will equip the food industry to create healthy, tasty, and well-preserved, convenient food that keeps pace with market demands and consumer lifestyle trends, and in particular rising demand among consumers for healthy and nutritious food. Thanks to our revolutionary domestic unit, we will also bring an exciting innovation to home kitchens soon!
In addition to combining microwave and vacuum, Mildtech embeds Industry 4.0 process analytical technology-based automated quality control, as well as Artificial Intelligence tools, that use recipe-based Machine Learning for facilitating the production of optimal quality and healthy foods.
In short, Mildtech is a truly game-changing innovation that will equip the food industry to create healthy, tasty, and well-preserved, convenient food that keeps pace with market demands and consumer lifestyle trends, and in particular rising demand among consumers for healthy and nutritious food. Thanks to our revolutionary domestic unit, we will also bring an exciting innovation to home kitchens soon!