Project description
Using film to preserve food over time
Storage allows food to be eaten for some time (typically weeks to months) after harvest rather than solely immediately. The use of chemical antibacterials makes it possible to preserve food after harvesting. For instance, without the use of sprout inhibitors, potatoes could not be put in storage during winter. But some of the chemicals used are suspected of having long-term adverse health effects. The EU-funded EcoFoil project will bring to market a new method of storing food that reduces the use of chemicals by 95 %. Specifically, it is developing a film (technology readiness level 6) that contains the active ingredient as a depot. This new film will increase the preservation of staple foods.
Objective
The availability and preservation of healthy food is fundamental. The consumer wants access to food over the whole year. At
the same time, they can only be harvested seasonally or in specific geographical regions.
Chemical antibacterials are currently used after harvesting to preserve food as long as possible. Chlorpropham (CIPC) or
1,4-dimethylnaphthalene are herbicides suspected of having long-term adverse health effects (carcinogenic). In addition it is
harmful to the environment, especially aquatic organisms.
Sema´s new product addresses the problem of the use of sprout inhibitors. Our project proposal includes the market
introduction of a new method for storing food, whereby it does not come into direct contact with the germ inhibitor and
reduces the use of chemicals by 95%. The idea is based on a newly developed film (TRL6) that contains the active
ingredient as a depot. Through air circulation, the active ingredient exits the depot film contactlessly, in a controlled, constant
and economical manner. The target customer is the entire food industry, but in particular companies specialising in the
storage of food (total market volume in Europe: > € 5 billion).
Our advantages are:
1. the efficacy of preservation
- Preservation of staple foods with excellent product quality
2. sustainable procedure
- Less use of chemicals
- energy-efficient storage
3. storage organisation
- Reduction of the use of chemicals with minimal changes to previous storage
- Plug-and-play - easy installation
- Low workload
4. economic advantages
- Low operating and investment costs
We are convinced we launch a product onto the market that meets the requirements of our target costumers . The ecological
pressure of the end consumers, the cost pressure of the storage companies and the increased environmental awareness
generate a high demand. With EcoFoil and our experienced and motivated staff we will realize a successfull
commercialisation. EcoFoil instead of chemical cocktail!
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
06869 Coswig
Germany
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.