At a global level, environmental protection rules increase the demands for agro-exporters every day. In Chile, legislators put into effect strict regulations aimed precisely at reducing the environmental impact of packaging waste, especially food waste, which represents around 450 thousand tons of waste in landfills.
But consumers expect to have fresh products all year round, so it is urgent to have packaging that is resistant to fat and/or humidity, but is one hundred percent compostable and recyclable. Achieving this would enhance the national and international marketing of Chilean agricultural products, meeting the demanding global and national requirements for environmental care and allowing our fruits and vegetables to reach the entire world in unbeatable conditions.
This is what CEDENNA's line of research in Packaging Technology seeks in conjunction with the LABEN-CHILE Center for Innovation in Packaging and Packaging of the University of Santiago, with the design of a prototype of cardboard created with nanostructures from renewable sources, compostable and recyclable, which could give way to high-end packaging for agriculture. This project was awarded by the Scientific and Technological Development Promotion Fund (Fondef) by selecting it as the winner of the Fondef IdeA I+D 2024 competition.
This material will give rise to packaging that will directly impact the agri-food industry, human health and the environment, reducing the carbon footprint compared to current synthetic polymers.
Likewise, the project will allow companies to respond to these new legislative requirements that limit the use of non-biodegradable-compostable or certified packaging materials for use in food delivery, generating great economic impact.
Obtaining the financing associated with this contest is a great recognition of the work carried out for many years by the Laben Center, led by Dr. Abel Guarda, principal investigator of CEDENNA's Packaging Technology group, in this case together with the companies CMPC Biopackaging Boxboard from Valdivia, ALIFRUT - Minuto Verde and Protem from the Metropolitan Technological University (UTEM).
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