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Project Topic
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This project analyses the economic impact and technological aspect related to the agri-food sector of the utilization of biodegradable active packaging in the commercialization of Mediterranean fresh products. When the objective is to reach a more extensive market with a fair price, one of the critical points in the process production is the selection of the most appropriated packaging method. In these cases, the profitability of the process is clearly affected by the shelf-life of the product. In this sense, there is a trend in the search of the named active packaging in order to increase the shelf-life of fresh products. There are different kinds of active packaging. One of the most promising alternatives is the packaging produced adding an active substance. These compounds could have different functional properties including the capacity to minimize the oxidation and microbiological degradation of fresh food during storage. The result is a significant increase in the shelf-life of the packaged food. In this project, the addition of natural extracts obtained from agricultural by-products as active substances is proposed. The result will be an increase in the added value of these wastes, thus promoting a circle economy, which increases the profitability of the overall process. By other side, the directives of EU indicate that it is necessary to replace plastic packaging with biodegradable substitutes. In this sense, this project proposes the use of these biodegradable plastics in order to increase the quality of the package elaborated and to decrease the environmental impact of the use of conventional plastics. In the Im-Pack project, the application of a new technology using supercritical fluids to generate the active packaging is proposed. This technology has been proved in conventional plastics with excellent results, increasing the self-life of the fresh food in several days, and then, the capacity of exportation of agri-food companies. The project is focused on the development of innovative solutions that increase the competitiveness of the small and medium farmers by implementing new biodegradable active packaging suitable for the commercialization of their Mediterranean fresh food. These packaged, are adapted to the new European regulations regarding the use of biodegradable packaging, and intended to increase the shelf-life of fresh food products. With the proposed packaging, the agro-food companies can reach new markets and decrease food losses due to product expiration. The main expected result is an increase in the profit of all the stakeholders, including farmers, small-scale food manufacturers and local distributors. The introduction of this packaging in the agro-food supply chain provides a local and distinguished benefit, economically, environmentally and socially to smallholders. Finally, this benefit will result in a fair price for consumers. So, the Im-Pack project is integrated into the concept of circular economy in order to apply the profitability of active packaging produced from agricultural by-products, obtained and impregnated by a sustainable technique. The utilization of biodegradable plastics and the valorisation of agricultural by-products as source of interesting bioactive compounds minimize waste generation. In addition, the production of active packaging that increases the shelf-life of fresh food products reduces organic waste from expired food. In the Im-Pack project participates research groups from Algeria, France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia. These countries have an important role in the agro-food sector of the European Union and north of Africa. This project has been presented in a previous PRIMA call and was successful in the first stage. In this proposal, the considerations made by the evaluation committee have been considered and 3 new research groups and 2 companies have been incorporated in order to increase the impact of the proposal.
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