Food value chain intelligence and integrative design for the development and implementation of innovative food packaging according to bioeconomic sustainability criteria – QuiPack

The current food value chains in Europe and the Maghreb Region face significant challenges with regard to sustainability, food loss, waste, and safety issues. To address these problems, the QuiPack project consortium will implement a Life Cycle Design Approach to develop novel functional food packaging solutions with nature-based antimicrobial and smart sensor properties. QuiPack's innovative solutions will (1) valorise waste and side streams along the quinoa-, other agricultural, and aquaculture food supply chain; (2) develop and test biointelligent coatings and packaging materials that meet customers' and market expectations and requirements both in Europe and the Maghreb region, (3) be smart ( i.e., linked to AI/IoT-assisted Food Value Chain Intelligence and Decision Support Systems – FVCI/DSS) and optimized with regard to food safety, traceability, environmental effects, sustainability, as well as cost-effectiveness in Mediterranean settings, (4) include socioeconomic studies on consumers preferences, needs and acceptance, and (5) be accompanied by tailored communication, training, and dissemination to support the wide take up of novel solutions.
The QuiPack consortium and its associated partners are determined and will mobilize all necessary resources to become pioneers and pacemakers for innovation and technological advancements of biodegradable antimicrobial materials in the Mediterranean region. By overcoming today's scientific-technological barriers, the consortium will advance functionalized packaging solutions and corresponding processing technology from TRL 2/3 - 6/7, dependent on the technology and business partners involved. We focus on natural antimicrobial and smart coatings, foil, as well as cardboard packaging solutions, which can protect and preserve a wide range of traditional Mediterranean foods. Novel Chitosan-based UV- and RFID sensors will be combined with AgriTrack's advanced FVCI/DSS to support digital quality monitoring, smarter logistics and retailing. Research on microbiome-based solutions, carbon dots, and customized 3D food printing technology will complement our ambitious work program. Combined, QuiPack’s solutions will significantly reduce food spoilage, increase shelf-life, and limit overall food losses by at least 50%, while enhancing the valorisation of hitherto wasted biomass, saving resources and the environment.
Through a consequent multi-actor approach and entrepreneurial stimulation, QuiPack will deliver novel opportunities and solutions for actors along the entire food chain. To achieve this, QuiPack consortium partners will use and extend their networks to communicate and share scientific-technical and practical knowledge in an audience-tailored manner. Interaction with the scientific community, current project consortia targeting similar goals, with stakeholders from the food sector, service providers, managers, regulating authorities, and consumers will inspire and spark co-creation and innovation, mutual exchange of best practices, and moreover, shall improve consumer trust and preference for sustainably produced, novel antimicrobial and smart food packaging.