Project description
Innovative packaging solutions minimise food waste
Petroleum-based plastic materials used in food packaging contribute to the growing problem of plastic waste. The EU Circular Economy strategy proposes alternative packaging solutions that utilise by-products from the food industry, such as cheese, whey and almond shells. These solutions aim to ensure biodegradability and recyclability, while also reducing food waste. In this context, the EU-funded YPACK project will undertake the pre-industrial scale-up and validation of two innovative food packaging options based on PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates). These include a thermoformed tray and a flow pack bag, both equipped with active and passive barrier properties. The project will adopt a comprehensive approach and methodology encompassing the development of packaging, product validation, a social approach (dissemination, policies, and regulatory aspects), and market assessment.
Objective
The main objective of YPACK is the pre-industrial scale up and validation of two innovative food packaging solutions (thermoformed tray and flow pack bag) based on PHA, with active and passive barrier properties. New packaging will use food industry by-products (cheese whey and almond shells), assure the biodegradability and recyclability, and reduce food waste, in the frame of the EU Circular Economy strategy.
YPACK will use a holistic approach and methodology involving different knowledge areas: Development of packaging solutions (Production of PHBV layers, compounding, prototyping, Industrial Validation), Product Validation (Quality / Shelf life), Social approach (Customer profiling, Dissemination, Policies & Regulatory) and Market Assessment (Business study and Risk assessment). YPACK is aligned with the EU Circular Economy strategy, including the use of raw bio-based food industry by-products, LCA studies, recyclability & biodegradability of packaging and trying to reduce Food Waste. The project is constructed in line with the Responsible Research and Innovation guidelines of the European Commission.
The project has a total duration of 36 months. Several processes related to the production of multilayered passive and active systems based on raw PHBV will be optimised and scaled up to pre-industrial size to validate the production of the proposed packaging solutions for extend the shelf life of selected food products. They consist in:
i) a multilayer tray involving an inner active layer, and
ii) a multilayer flow pack with improved barrier properties. A consumer profiling and market study will be performed at the first stage of the project in order to identify consumers´ preferences, market needs and match them with the new EU regulations and packaging materials breakthroughs.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
28006 Madrid
Spain
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Participants (23)
9032 Gent-Wondelgem
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
46980 Paterna
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
3060-197 Cantanhede
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1040 BRUXELLES
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
48170 Zamudio
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4715-330 Braga
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20063 Cernusco Sul Naviglio
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
48009 Bilbao
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
2040 Antwerpen
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EN5 5RN London
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
6723 Szeged
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
33128 Pravia, Asturias
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76100 Rehovot
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
34758 Istanbul
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2829 516 Caparica
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1000 Skopje
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
4470-177 Maia
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
4464-503 Senhora Da Hora
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50720 Zaragoza
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
31191 Esquiroz-Navarra
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
4704 553 Braga
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43206 Reus, Tarragona
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
6708 PB Wageningen
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