NanoPack will demonstrate a solution for extending food shelf life by using novel smart antimicrobial surfaces, applied in active food packaging products. It will run pilot lines in operational industrial environments to manufacture commercially feasible antimicrobial polymer films, accepted by consumers. It will minimize the amount of preservatives required to maintain freshness, add value and assure safety to the entire supply chain. The project will employ natural Halloysite Nanotubes (HNTs) as reliable and safe carriers of bio-active compounds which are unable to migrate from the food packaging into food. Maximising safety, they slowly release minute amounts of potent, volatile and broad-spectrum natural agents into the packaging headspace. Using nanotechnology enables 1) introducing sensitive molecules into polymer films; 2) anti-microbial functionality without impaired film properties; 3) manufacturing potent antimicrobial surfaces with tunable properties, while creating a pH-triggered "gate keeper” effect to slow down release of the payload encapsulated. The resulting film will exhibit antimicrobial properties unmet by the current state-of-the-art. The processes across the supply chain will be validated through 5 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. The success of NanoPack will result in validated consumer-accepted nanotechnology-based antimicrobial food packaging that will enhance food safety, prevent foodborne illness outbreaks and reduce food waste caused by early spoilage. Better performing, safer and ‘smarter’ products will position Europe as the leader in food nanotechnology & smart antimicrobial packaging while increasing competitiveness and industry growth.

BUDDIE-PACK is a circular economy project aiming at implementing a systemic approach for the large-scale deployment of reusable plastic packaging (RPP) based on a multidisciplinary approach combining social, technological and economic innovations. The project will take advantage of behavioural innovation to promote consumers' acceptance of RPP by analysing drivers and analyzing consumers’psychology of reuse. Sound synergies with technological innovations will be developed to manufacture packaging fulfilling the demanding requirements of RPP based on innovative designs and recyclable materials. The project will focus on innovative cleaning solutions to guarantee the safety of consumers against the possible contamination and ageing of RPP during their repeated use, and the durability of the functional properties up to 300 cycles. Viable economic models will ensure the sustainability of the proposed solutions thanks to the profitability of stakeholderss throughout the value chain, including solutions based on social & solidarity economy models. The project outcomes will be demonstrated under the supervision of RPP manufacturers and users, logisticians, cleaning and recycling experts through 6 mass market business cases in real environment at TRL8. An unprecedented cleaning pilot line dedicated to RPP and allowing scale economies will be set up. Policy recommendations and pre-standardisation activities on RPP designs and cleaning protocols will prepare the markets for the mass deployment of RPP. Preventive measures will be put in place to eliminate any release of microplastics during RPP use. The project will avoid each year the production of nearly 544M of single-use packaging, reduce the consumption of virgin plastics by 103ktons, of water by 1B to 18.5B litres, avoid 303 660ktons of CO2 emissions, 37ktons of microplastics leaking in EU seas.