The SERENADE project
Compostable compounds for better food freshness
The food sector is at a crossroads, being affected by different problems such as excessive food waste generation, contribution to as well as the effects of climate change, and degradation of natural resources. At the same time, society and regulators expect an increased environmental protection while providing safe and nutritional food.
Advancements in the circular economy make it possible to optimize food production and consumption with the goal of establishing a more sustainable paradigm, that fulfils these expectations. The food value chain is responsible for significant resource and environmental pressures. An estimated 20 % of the total food produced is lost or wasted in the EU, with more than 70 % of the total food waste being generated at the end of the food supply chain (markets and households). The European Commission has a target for food waste reduction addressing the food value chain. It is a key action under the EU Farm-to-Fork Strategy, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and as part of the review of Directive 2008/98/EC38. Promoting circular economy approaches is critical to decrease the environmental footprint of food production activities. However, there are still inefficiencies at all stages of the food supply chain (FSC) hindering sustainable food production.
Addressing the sustainability of the food supply chain requires a holistic approach that considers all stakeholders, the attitude towards food waste, food waste recycling, new technological solutions, novel eco-friendly materials, recycling processes for packaging materials, as well as all relevant regulations. The SERENADE project proposes a multidisciplinary approach to increase sustainability in the last part of the food supply chain, combining three pillars: food, sensors, and materials technologies. In praxis that means creating smart sustainable solutions targeting the reduction of food waste at the end of the food supply chain (households, supermarkets, and food retailers).
Serenade will develop:
I. A smart and sustainable food container made of novel food-grade materials (biobased or recycled) for monitoring food freshness at households and markets, using sensor technology.
II. A handheld food spoilage analyser combining sensor technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) software to determine food freshness in unpackaged food at markets.
III. In addition, Serenade will generate new knowledge in:
IV. the evolution of freshness and safety of fruits, vegetables, and cooked meals/leftovers during fridge storage,
V. sensor-based monitoring of food freshness,
VI. advanced food-grade compostable polymers capable of withstanding dishwasher cycles and foodgrade recycled plastics.
Serenade will also assess the eco–friendliness of the developed materials and the impact of the innovations in the circular economy. To date, there are no smart monitoring tools for food freshness and quality despite the existence of strict standard regulations around food. With this premise, the Serenade project will provide tools for delivering realtime quality insights, allowing accurate food consumption planning, by providing the handheld spoilage analyser for quick freshness assessments. In the case of the smart food container, reminders will be sent about the best moment to consume the food freshly. Likewise, the food industry must incorporate sustainable materials in food storage containers to minimize the footprint of the consumed food. Thus, Serenade will develop innovative compostable materials capable of withstanding dishwasher cycles and food-grade recycled plastics for smart food containers.
To achieve the development of said monitoring solutions, the close collaboration of experts in the three research pillars of the Serenade project and the training of 7 multidisciplinary researchers in the three fields at the same time, will be needed and will be possible thanks to the international and intersectoral cooperation of the Serenade partners distributed among 4 EU countries (Spain, Germany, Belgium, and Italy), and to the strong involvement of the industry, with the participation and leadership of industrial partners (SMEs and large industries) along with 5 research universities.
Sirmax’s role within the project is to formulate the raw materials and compounds, as well as developing and testing food-contact additives for the PLA compounds that can act as energy absorbers and increase the efficiency of the annealing technologies without compromising the material compostability. And finally, to make the finished product. In the process, microwave heating will be used to promote post-moulding crystallization and increase the mechanical properties of the injection-moulded PLA compounds.
The competence acquired in the field of compounding will have to be applied to the study of a compostable material, of vegetable origin, capable of complying with all the technical characteristics defined by the project, such as being able to withstand dishwashing cycles.
Serenade is a project funded by the EU under their competitive HORIZON-MSCA-DN-2021 (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks) program under Grant Agreement No. 101072846.
By: Alberto Marcolongo
SERENADE Sirmax Project Leader Cittadella, Italy
