Pilot-scale packaging solutions

Traditional plastic food packaging generates much waste, contributing seriously to ecosystem deterioration, and represents more than a concern for the environment’s stability and future generations. However, the need for new approaches, quality issues, standardization, and economic sustainability have hindered industrial uptake. Innovative solutions often require attention to the sustainability of both i) the production technologies (e.g., power consumptions, waste generation, etc.) and ii) raw materials used in packaging production. Sustainable raw materials, in turn, place additional stress on production technologies (e.g., the case of water-based glues versus solvent-based ones in multi-layer packaging). In this direction, the machinability and functional characteristics of the developed sustainable packaging solutions must be carefully tested to assess their effectiveness and suitability for food preservation.

Pilot-scale demonstration of the sustainability of the packaging solutions identified, considering production technologies and materials employed.

• Protocol definition, reports, and guidelines on the application as food packaging material.
• Pilot-scale demonstration of the sustainability of the most-promising packaging solutions identified, considering production technologies and materials employed.