Summary
- Closed for EoI
- Profile Type
- Research & Development Request
- POD Reference
- RDRGB20240627015
- Term of Validity
- 27 June 2024 - 27 June 2025
- Company's Country
- United Kingdom
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreement
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
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General information
- Short Summary
- UK start-up is utilising onion waste (skins, stems, etc.) to create cellulose-based films for food packaging. The films are functionalised with bioactive compounds extracted during the refining process. They seek both academic and industrial partners with proven skills in upscaling bio-based films manufacturing (knowledge transfer specialists) and bioactive extraction (research group) from European states to apply for an EIC Pathfinder challenge with a deadline of October 16th 2024.
- Full Description
-
A UK (Scottish) start-up is working on valorising onion farming and processing waste through the development of a series of onion-based products for food packaging. They are employing green chemistry methods and looking to reduce the environmental impact of their manufacturing process.
A cellulose-based film has already been prototyped and the efficiency of onion extracts on food preservation has previously been proven. In this project, the start-up is looking to enhance the properties of the film and to integrate the bio-active compound for added functionalities:
- Optical and barrier properties
- Durability and compostability
- Re-usability (through the design of a resealable, multi component prototype)
- Shelf-life extension for packaged foods.
The start-up is looking for two categories of experts:
- Knowledge transfer specialists for upscaling (to pilot scale) film manufacturing process from fibre to usable input
- Plant bioactive specialists for optimised extraction and functionalisation of onion bioactives (added qualities in the film)
Submission deadline for the EIC Pathfinder “Nature inspired alternatives for food packaging and films for agriculture” Challenge call is October 16th 2024. They expect to complete the project between 36-48 months. - Advantages and Innovations
-
Results from this project answer to at least three major challenges for a more sustainable Europe, by valorising an otherwise non-exploitable agricultural waste, extending food shelf-life and thus reducing food waste, and replacing petrochemical-based plastics.
The efficacy of both cellulosic films and onion-extracted bioactives has already been proven. This new integrative approach thus allows for the valorisation of all onion parts through the combination of existing technologies.
The resulting product is intended for further deployment at a large scale, as the packaging demand and managing needs in Europe continue to grow with the continued increase of e-commerce, home-delivery offers, and urbanisation. - Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
-
PARTNER 1: BIOPOLYMER FILM MANUFACTURING
- Fibre analysis
- Rheological assessment
- Bio-based film formulation
- Wet processing and pelletization/extrusion capabilities
- Mechanical and barrier testing capabilities
PARTNER 2:
- Bioactive extraction capabilities
- Analytical assessment
- Antioxidant assay capabilities - Stage of Development
- Under development
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 2: Zero Hunger
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- IPR status
- Secret know-how
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
-
Expected role: Manufacturing partner
The start-up is looking for partners interested in upscaling from lab to pilot-scale the manufacturing of cellulose-based films. In particular, they are looking for a knowledge transfer institution with experience with industrial requirements and potential retrofitting technology development.
Expected role: Bioactive compound specialist
The start-up is looking for partners with interest in optimising an integrated extraction process for plant bioactive molecules and assessing their activity. They are also looking for experience in natural compound functionalisation for creating a responsive system. - Type and Size of Partner
- University
- SME <=10
- SME 11-49
- SME 50 - 249
- R&D Institution
- Big company
- Other
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreement
Call details
- Framework program
- Horizon Europe
- Call title and identifier
-
EIC Pathfinder “Nature inspired alternatives for food packaging and films for agriculture"
- Coordinator required
-
Yes
- Deadline for EoI
- Deadline of the call
- Project duration in weeks
-
208
- Web link to the call
- https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder-new-template/…
- Horizon Europe
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 02005004 - Packaging for materials
- 02005001 - Foil, fils
- 08001003 - Food Packaging / Handling
- Market keywords
- 09004006 - Packing products and systems
- Sector Groups Involved
- Agri-Food
- Targeted countries
- All countries