Nanotechnology forms part of EU project
NanoPack, starting in January 2017 and running until the end of 2019, will be co-ordinated by Technion – the Israel Institute of Technology.
Partners include Constantia Flexibles, Dawn Meats Group, Arla Foods, Vertech Group Stichting Effost and a Fraunhofer unit.
The project will use natural Halloysite Nanotubes (HNTs) as carriers of bio-active compounds which do not migrate from the packaging into food.
Processes will be validated through five pilot runs on existing production lines: 1) loading antimicrobials, 2) anti-microbial HNT polymer production, 3) anti-microbial packaging film production and 4-5) using the novel packaging on food products.
Commercial feasibility will be assessed, including consumer acceptance and legal, regulatory, safety and environmental aspects.
NanoPack will result in nanotechnology-based antimicrobial packaging that will enhance food safety, prevent foodborne illness outbreaks and reduce food waste caused by early spoilage.
As part of a previous project, also called NanoPack, Technion developed multifunctional nanomaterials and devices for use in intelligent forms of food packaging.
The materials were based on electrochemically-prepared nanostructured inorganic porous scaffolds, composed of silicon (Si) and silicon oxide (SiO2) and hybrids with various polymers/hydrogels.
