German institute focusing on sustainable packaging concepts for the life science industry along the entire value chain is looking to join a consortium applying to a Horizon Europe call

Short summary A sustainable packing institute at a German University of Applied Sciences is researching for more sustainable packaging concepts. They support all actors in the packaging industry along the value chain in the life science industry towards a more sustainable, circular bioeconomy. Thematic areas are e.g. biogenic raw and functional materials; process technology/design; smart packaging; holistic assessment. They are experienced in EU-funded projects and look for research agreements.

Full description The sustainable packaging institute is part of the faculty of Life Sciences of a German University of Applied Sciences. They research and teach in six thematic areas, focusing their main research on sustainable packaging concepts for the Life Science Industry. Their self-set mission statement is to competently and holistically support all actors in the packaging industry along the entire value chain in the Life Science Industry on their way towards a more sustainable, circular bioeconomy. They address their mission in terms of content with their six thematic areas: 1. Biogenic raw materials 2. Process technology and process design 3. Functional materials 4. Smart packaging (intelligent and active packaging) 5. Preservation and packaging 6. Bioeconomy and sustainability (concepts, assessment, perception) In view of the finite nature of fossil resources, on which many primary packaging products in particular are based, the increasing amounts of packaging waste as a result of the predominantly linear economic system and the resulting ecological, economic and social consequences, a fundamental transformation is required. Therefore, research is needed in this holistic and cross-value chain topic of "Sustainable Packaging Concepts", taking into account the entire packaging life cycle. In their technical center the institute can carry out most typical processes, like production and processing of packaging material, in laboratory and pilot scale. Beside this, they can carry out analyses on packaging material-relevant properties for characterization in their physical-chemical laboratory. Through its application-oriented research, the institute closes the gap between basic research and industry. They also have a good network of potential industrial use case partners. The technological implementation of scientific research findings leads to the future existence of functional packaging, which expands the scope of possibilities in questions of supply sovereignty of society in general and food sovereignty and food security in particular which is of social and economic relevance. The institute can thus conduct research for the preservation and improvement of society's supply of packaged products from the life science industry (primarily food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics). Research collaborations are desired in the research areas of biogenic raw materials, process technology and process design, functional materials, smart packaging (intelligent and active packaging), preservation and packaging as well as bioeconomy and sustainability (concepts, assessment, perception). The institute has already been involved in ongoing H2020 projects and Horizon Europe proposal submissions. The institute would like to join a consortium for a further EU-funded project as a partner under a research and development agreement. The consortium could not only benefit from their expertise but also from their multi actor network with potential industrial use case partners for e. g. upscaling. Suitable calls could be e.g. 2023: -HORIZON-CL6-2023-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-7: Strategies to prevent and reduce plastic packaging pollution from the food system -HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-16: Microbiomes fighting food waste through applicable solutions in food processing, packaging and shelf life -HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-IAFlag-03: Bio-based packaging materials with improved properties: barrier, food contact, forming, printability, safety, recyclability /circularity-by-design 2024: -HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-01-35: Biodegradable polymers for sustainable packaging materials (IA) -HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-02-2-two-stage: Sustainable organic food innovation labs: reinforcing the entire value chain

Advantages and innovations

• Based on the six thematic areas mentioned above, the following examples are intended to provide insight into the institute’s expertise:
• 1. Biogenic raw materials: e.g. extraction of insect chitin; recovery of residual proteins etc.
• 2. Process technology and process design: e. g. optimised extraction processes of chitin; nanoscale surface functionalisation of biopolymer-based films etc.
• 3. Functional materials: e.g. residue-based functional barrier coatings for e.g. paper and cardboard; electron beam irradiation (eBeam); grafting with fatty acids to e.g. increase the water vapour barrier and residual drainability
• 4. Smart packaging: e.g. barcodes; time-temperature indicators; freshness indicators; O2 -scavengers; antimicrobial packaging
• 5. Preservation and packaging: packaging sterilization process using eBeam; packaging and storage trials incl. microbiological and sensory testing
• 6. Bioeconomy and sustainability: preparation of life cycle assessments; individual, holistic concept development; training and education offers; studies on sensory consumer perception and acceptance

Contact / source: NEXT EEN Widgets (europa.eu)