#	Pagina
attuale pagina	/open-h2020/projects/216849/results.html

Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FRESHTRAY (New multi-active cardboard packaging solution to extend the shelf-life of fresh fruits and vegetables by 40%.)

Teaser

Summary

SAECO is a Spanish company founded in 1979, dedicated to the manufacturing of corrugated cardboard containers and packaging, aimed at the agri-food and industrial sectors. Our mission is to meet the needs of our customers, manufacturing natural, recyclable and biodegradable packaging. With an annual production of more than 100 million mÂ² and more than 70,000 tonnes of recycled paper and fibre, we are the leaders in our region â€“ Murcia â€“ also known as the â€œEuropean orchardâ€.
Our customers in the agri-food sector - fresh fruits and vegetables (FF&V) companies - experience challenges in the form of short period of time for marketing of their produce and its relatively quick value decrease. In the EU28, 5% of FF&V yearly traded never reach the supermarket shelves as they are rejected by the retailers, being incompliant with the retailersâ€™ standards (freshness, appearance etc.). This means a waste of 3.9 million tonnes of food and the loss of â‚¬8,970 million. Such incompliance is due to FF&V spoilage caused by the activity of micro-organisms (bacteria and fungi) and the FF&V release of ethylene gas. This is a biological process that cannot be avoided but that can be slowed down through active packaging.
To address these challenges, we have developed Newfresh (commercial name of the project FreshTray) - a new multi-active cardboard packaging solution that delays the FF&V spoilage process, increases the FF&V shelf-life by +40% as well as improves their quality and freshness.
Newfresh is based on the application of a patented advanced multi-active coating that shows antimicrobial, antioxidant and ethylene scavenger properties. The multi-active coating is applied over the inner surface of the cardboard, enabling its use in a variety of packaging solutions.
Newfresh is an innovative solution to significantly diminish FF&V discards in Europe.

Work performed

The implementation of the FreshTray project is based on a 20-month work plan, involving technical and commercial activities divided into 6 work-packages. In this reporting period (first 10 months of the project implementation), the following was performed:
WP1. Through conduction of in-vitro testing and pilot plant trials, the final formula of the multi-active coating formula for the four target products (lettuce, nectarine, grape and orange) was developed and optimised.
WP2. By definition of specifications and design of different micro-corrugated cardboard multi-active packaging elements, the most optimal structure of the packaging solutions for the four target products was developed. Industrial process for manufacturing of Newfresh was incorporated at our premises.
WP3. Through trials at pilot plant-scale and at the premises of our industrial validator, the optimised multi-active packaging was validated in lettuce, this way obtaining the proof of the +40% shelf-life extension and economic impact of our solution.
WP4. Communication activities were initiated, including such actions as: website creation, publications in the media and social network, attendance to specialised events. The brand of Newfresh was created. The business plan and commercialisation approach were updated. The IPR strategy is ongoing.
WP5. The project management was set in place in order to ensure the most efficient conduction of project tasks, monitoring of the project progress and alignment with the projectÂ´s objectives. Risk management was introduced, allowing for recognition of risks encountered during project implementation and identification of new potential risks.
WP6. Report describing ethical issues in relation to the environmental protection and operation safety management was prepared, and measures to address such issues at the company introduced.

Final results

Newfresh is a step forward in the state-of-the-art. The current packaging solutions available in the market that aim at extending the FF&V shelf-life are based on solutions that cause consumersÂ´ distrust (fruit coating, UV radiation), are not authorised in some EU member states (UV radiation), or are developed for low-volume packaging and increase considerably the product final price (modified atmosphere, sachets and films).
Newfresh, with the use of nanotechnology and excellent properties of the ingredients of its multi-active coating (antimicrobial, antioxidant and ethylene scavenger), extends the FF&V shelf-life in a natural and cost-efficient way. The multi-active coating of Newfresh is fully integrated in the packaging system and can be applied to different types of packaging solutions, allowing its use for products in bulk packaging and packed in flow pack or in individual wrapping.
The main expected outcome of the project will be full market-readiness of Newfresh. Once released to the market, Newfresh will have a significant impact on the operations of the FF&V companies. Our solution will enable our customers to offer a high quality product of an extended shelf-life, this way reducing by an estimated 50% their economic losses that they currently suffer due to incompliance with the retailersÂ´ standards. Moreover, they will experience up to 20% income increase due to the higher price perceived and the lower amount of produce rejected.
The FF&V companies will gain in flexibility and bargaining power as they will be able to choose the right moment to sell their produce according to the market prices or to cost-effectively export it to further destinations where higher price can be perceived.
Newfresh will contribute to tackling the food waste issue. By reducing the wastage of FF&V (by estimated 50%) since their shelf life will be extended by 40%, our solution will eliminate the problem of in vain CO2 emissions and use of natural resources.