Project description
Sustainable real-time monitoring solution for perishable products
Introducing innovative circular solutions and waste reduction is key to advancing Europe’s green transition because it reduces waste, enables novel sustainable solutions and addresses key resource scarcities. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the DIATOPACK project will develop a circular approach to smart food packaging that uses biodegradable photonic sensors produced from alginate industry effluents. The project will use diatom frustules cultivated from these alginate industry waste streams to produce printable films designed to detect spoilage markers through measurable optical response. This will be achieved without the need for synthetic dyes, batteries or electronics, offering a scalable, low-cost, sustainable solution for real-time monitoring.
Objective
DIATOPACK introduces a disruptive circular approach to smart food packaging by transforming alginate industry effluents into biodegradable photonic sensors. Diatom frustules are cultivated from these streams and embedded in bio-based polymeric matrices to create printable films that visually detect spoilage markers such as ammonia and volatile amines. To date, no system has integrated biogenic frustules into biodegradable matrices as functional optical sensors, nor explored their response to volatile compounds released during food deterioration, placing DIATOPACK at the frontier of innovation. This photonic system delivers clear optical signals without electronics, synthetic dyes, or batteries, offering a scalable, sustainable, and low-cost solution for real-time monitoring of perishable products.
The breakthrough lies in merging industrial waste biosilicification with structural photonics to obtain the first marine-derived biodegradable packaging with active food safety functions. By replacing plastics and extending shelf life, DIATOPACK tackles three EU priorities: reducing plastic waste, minimizing food loss, and ensuring consumer safety, fully aligned with the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy.
Beyond substitution, DIATOPACK introduces a new class of biofunctional materials that convert waste streams into intelligent, market-ready solutions. This “blue circular bioeconomy” model turns residues into advanced sensing materials, setting a benchmark for sustainable packaging by integrating marine biotechnology, nanostructured photonics, and advanced biofabrication. With simplicity, low cost, and scalability, DIATOPACK can drive the next generation of “blue circular” packaging, redefine supply chain monitoring, and empower industries and consumers to cut waste and improve food safety, positioning Europe at the forefront of green innovation and supporting the Horizon Europe mission of accelerating the transition to a circular, climate-neutral economy.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- social sciences economics and business economics bioeconomy
- social sciences economics and business economics sustainable economy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
4715-330 Braga
Portugal
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.