The Biosmart project aims to reduce discarded food by developing bio-based compostable or recyclable packaging, including sensors to monitor food shelf life and functional and barrier coatings, as explained by Dr. Amaya Igartua of Fundación TEKNIKER.
Keywords: European Commission, BBI research, BIC Alliance, BIOSMART, bioplastics, recyclable, hydrophobic, compostable, biodegradable, food safety, smart, active, bio-based food packaging products.
Problems to be solved
Several studies by organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council show that society is wasting up to 40% of its food production. In Europe, this represents 90 kg/person/year.
Objectives
The EU and industry-funded BIOSMART project is working on developing bio-based food packaging that monitors and extends shelf life while being compostable, biodegradable or recyclable and environmentally friendly, the concept of the project was built through a collaboration of the complete value chain involved in the advisory board, involving resin manufacturers ( NatureWorks ), brand owners ( Unilever ) and retail ( Eroski ).
Market Size
The processed food market of more than 46 billion retail units represents 3.1 million tons of plastic use. "With a global capacity of 1.7 tons in the rigid and flexible market segments, Bioplastics has significant growth capacity. The project has been funded under grant agreement No. 745762 under the EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation program's Joint Commitment for Bio-based Industries.
