Edible packaging and coatings created from agri-food waste

Reducing the environmental impact of conventional packaging and minimising food waste is one of the current challenges facing the food industry. To address this issue, the PrevencPack project, developed by Ainia in collaboration with several companies, has focused on the development of three innovative solutions: edible coatings for food, edible packaging and coatings for cardboard packaging.
Edible food coatings that delay fruit ripening
Edible coatings are thin layers of natural materials that, when applied to food, can extend the shelf life of fruit and vegetables to maintain their quality for longer. In this project, natural biopolymers have been applied to strawberries, because they are more sensitive to fungal attacks, and to mushrooms, because of their problems of oxidation or moisture loss.

The application of natural biopolymers has succeeded in delaying ripening, reducing the rate of respiration and minimising weight loss in these fruits and vegetables.

Heat-sealable edible packaging from agri-food waste
Edible packaging, developed from agri-food waste, offers an innovative solution for sustainability. In addition to being biodegradable, these packs can be consumed together with the food, completely eliminating waste.

PrevencPack has developed edible thermosealable packaging that can be used with food waste.Its production from agro-industrial by-products is an efficient use of renewable resources, contributing to the circular economy and to the reduction of plastic waste…