As part of the EU project Mate4Meat, researchers from six countries are working on biobased and antimicrobial packaging that preserves meat for longer. The participating Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging (IVV) is focussing on the use of waste materials for sustainable meat packaging.
As part of the EU project, the Fraunhofer IVV is developing bio-based food packaging for meat that enables a long shelf life thanks to its functional properties. In order to strengthen the aspect of sustainability, the focus is on the utilisation of residual materials. A particularly long shelf life is achieved through the Equipping the new packaging materials with antimicrobial agents which in turn are also obtained from residual materials. This enables a high degree of product protection to be achieved while at the same time avoiding waste. Mate4Meat thus contributes both to reducing the use of petroleum-based plastics and to avoiding food waste.
Tests under real conditions
It is intended for use in vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging for meat. Transfer to other applications is subsequently possible. The packaging concepts developed will be tested under real conditions and comprehensively characterised with regard to their conformity. This involves testing how well the bio-based materials maintain the freshness of fresh meat and how effective the antimicrobial effect is. In addition to evaluating the economic viability and market potential, the project also includes Life cycle assessments drawn up for the packaging materials and recyclability are assessed.
As part of the project, the Fraunhofer IVV is evaluating the effectiveness of the various development stages under laboratory conditions and in realistic applications, as well as testing the packaging samples for compliance with food law. The joint project is running until 2027.
Source: Fraunhofer IVV
