REDYSIGN

REDYSIGN, for a recyclable, biologically-based alternative for meat product packaging.

The goal of the REDYSIGN, project, financed by CBE JU, is to create an innovative biopackage for fresh meat, made of 98% wood derivatives, via the dment of 12 resource-use-efficient processes, 2 food quality sensors, and an improved recycling process.

REDYSIGN is the new project financed by Joint Undertaking Circular Bio-based Europe (CBE) in the circular bioeconomy sector (GA nº101112521). Led by Tecnalia Research and Innovation, it was officially launched on October 3–4 in Bilbao, with the participation of all the members of the consortium and CBE representatives.

By developing 12 innovative technologies that are efficient in the use of resources (energy, water, and raw materials), the project will tackle the production of a new bio-based, smart, and recyclable packaging to substitute the current plastic packaging that is used for distributing fresh meat which today cannot be recycled because of the complexity of its makeup. During the four years the project will last, REDYSIGN will work on the development of different intermediate products (the tray, the covering that must be a barrier for gases and liquids, the absorbent pad, and the transparent film cover) by using almost exclusively products derived from wood (lignocellulosic macro-, micro-, and nano-fibers, lignin, and sugars). Moreover, the packaging will incorporate two sensors to prevent food waste: one for the early detection of the spoiling process, and another to analyze interruptions in the cold chain during distribution and storage.

The project will also implement two innovations to improve recycling efficiency. The first involves the use of identification markers that will allow these products, which have potentially been biologically contaminated, to be classified at the waste treatment facility. The second is based on the application of an advanced oxidation treatment to disinfect the packages while at the same time reducing the consumption of energy in the later fiber-recovery operation, such that the recycling process is even more efficient from an energy point of view.

To carry out this project, a multi-disciplinary consortium has been put together which is made up of 13 members from 7 European countries and which brings together some of the most relevant players in the bioindustries sector: Tecnalia Research and Innovation, PackBenefit, Metgen, Eroski, Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre, Valmet Technologies, Fibenol, Mcairlaid’s Vliesstoffe, HOLOSS, VTT, RISE-PFI, Zabala Innovation and Fenix TNT.