Maximizing freshness and minimizing losses of agriculture products through automated atmosphere management in storage facilities

Project description

Tracing gases to reduce loss of fresh produce

Sustainable food production has played an important role since the early days of civilisation, and it is especially crucial today. Agricultural produce contributes to the production of other foods as well as constituting a product in itself. Unfortunately, fresh produce is highly unsustainable: 33 % of fresh fruit and vegetables is lost or wasted, especially during long-term storage, resulting in severe financial losses for the food industry. The EU-funded MAX-FRESH project aims to combat this problem by developing the first automated multispecies trace gas sensor allowing the detection of seven volatile gases that indicate ripening, fermentation, damage or rotting of the produce. This will support the reduction of lost fresh produce by up to 50 % as well as extend the storage life of such products.

Fields of science

• agricultural sciences › agriculture, forestry, and fisheries › agriculture › horticulture › fruit growing
• engineering and technology › other engineering and technologies › food and beverages › food safety

Programme(s)

• H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges
• H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies

Topic(s)

• EIC-FTI-2018-2020 - Fast Track to Innovation (FTI)

Call for proposal

H2020-EIC-FTI-2018-2020
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

IA - Innovation action

Coordinator

STOREX BELGIE

Address

Zavelstraat 7/A
9190 Stekene
Belgium

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

EU contribution

€ 686 875

Participants (3)

STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITEIT

Netherlands

EU contribution

€ 645 017,50

Address

Houtlaan 4
6525 XZ Nijmegen

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

NKT PHOTONICS A/S

Denmark

EU contribution

€ 425 250

Address

Blokken 84
3460 Birkerod

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

SENSEAIR AB

Sweden

EU contribution

€ 408 751

Address

Po Box 96
820 60 Delsbo

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)