Shelf-life Enhancing Packaging Systems for Mediterranean Food through Innovative and Circular Solutions Based on Agri-Food Multi-Product Cascade Biorefinery
WHAT IS THE GOAL?
The BIOMEDPACK project aims to develop scalable and sustainable packaging and bio-preservation solutions for the specific Mediterranean context, based on the valorisation of lignocellulosic and bioactive fractions of agricultural by-products and assisted by food microbiome information and computational techniques.
BIOMEDPACK is based on a circular approach to improve shelf-life and mitigate related food waste in different Mediterranean foods through the synergistic combination of suitable bio-based polymers and bioprotective agents as well considering account the nutritional added-value of the edible packaging solutions.
The EU has set a goal to reduce avoidable food waste by 50% by 2025
CONCEPT
Food waste has a significant negative environmental impact on the European Union (EU): 17% of direct greenhouse gas emissions (>170 million tons of CO2), 28% of material resource use and almost 100 million tons of food are wasted annually in the EU.
BIOMEDPACK aims to develop a strategy for the potential implementation of a Mediterranean Biorefinery Area, which constitutes a significant milestone in the collective efforts of member countries to transition towards a sustainable economy. The socio-economic strategy will involve collaboration/meeting with stakeholders from the private, public, and civil society sectors to receive data on policies, regulatory frameworks, incentives, and investments.
All packaging solutions developed in BIOMEDPACK will be fully bio-based, biodegradable and recyclable, offering a wide range of sustainable packaging systems. Biomass-based packaging can be rapidly adopted in Mediterranean countries. Biomass-based packaging can be produced locally through simple processes, thus favouring the implementation of bioeconomy and circular economy strategies. In addition, these products can be recycled in industrial facilities available in most countries, taking advantage of the recycling systems of the paper and board industry.
CHALLENGES
AGRICULTURAL BY-PRODUCTS FOR ACTIVE PACKAGING
To advance the socio-economic development of the Mediterranean region through the implementation of small-scale biorefineries of agricultural by-products for circular production of bio-based active packaging systems.
MULTI-PRODUCT CASCADE BIOREFINERY
Easily deployable and scalable approach for the valorisation of biological and chemical fractions of different agricultural by-products.
MICROBIOME-GUIDED ACTIVE PACKAGING
Synergistic combination of biopolymers, bioactive compounds and functional microbial consortia obtained from agricultural by-products to increase shelf-life, strengthen quality and nutritional properties of food products from farm to fork.
SCALE UP AND VALIDATION
Scale up different bio-based packaging systems and evaluate their effectiveness along the postharvest food chain, addressing technical feasibility, environmental and market validation.
TECHNOLOGIES
SMALL-SCALE LOCAL MODULAR BIOREFINERIES
Low initial investment requirements, swift return on investment, and potential for widespread implementation across the Mediterranean region. This approach enables decentralised installations, facilitating direct biomass processing at the source of generation.
PREDICTIVE MICROBIOLOGY AND FOOD MODELLING
BIOMEDPACK goes beyond the state-of-art of food modelling technologies, developing predictive models as cutting-edge tools to improve and speed up the screening process of bioprotective strategies and facilitate the development of microbiome-based preservation strategies.
MICROBIOME-BASED SOLUTIONS
BIOMEDPACK exploits the ambivalent character of certain microorganisms able to colonize plants thereby reducing phytopathogen invasion or improving growth and, subsequently, protecting against spoilage along the food chain.
BIO-BASED PACKAGING SOLUTIONS
BIOMEDPACK provides a proof-of-concept of the high potential of agricultural residues as suitable and accessible sources for developing 5 different types of packaging systems: Smart Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP), fibre-based trays, edible coatings, films and absorbent pads.
NEWS
FOUNDED BY:
SPONSORED BY THE:
Stay Connected
BIOMEDPACK
Shelf-life Enhancing Packaging Systems for Mediterranean Food through Innovative and Circular Solutions Based on Agri-Food Multi-Product Cascade Biorefinery