Imagine replacing those annoying plastic food trays and wraps with paper-based versions that actually keep food fresh. It's like upgrading from a plastic bag to a high-tech cardboard box that doesn't leak or let air in. At the same time, it's creating a professional system for returning and washing containers, similar to how old-school milk bottles worked but for a modern supermarket.
Major food brands and retailers struggle to replace complex multilayer plastic packaging because they lack immediate, high-performance alternatives that maintain food shelf life.
A decision support tool for choosing between reuse or fiber packaging, and a set of 90% cellulose-based materials with high barrier properties.
If you are a supermarket chain dealing with the 37% of food sold in plastic packaging — this project developed a decision support tool and reuse schemes that allow you to switch to fiber-based alternatives or optimized returnable systems.
If you are a packaging producer dealing with the demand for plastic-free options — this project developed materials with at least 90% cellulose content that match the barrier properties of complex multi-component plastics.
If you are a logistics provider dealing with inefficient return loops — this project developed an industrial reuse model and washing methods to optimize the collection and cleaning of returnable food packaging.
The project aims to create cost-effective innovative technologies for the immediate substitution of plastic. Based on available project data, the goal is to ensure these solutions are economically optimized for industrial use.
Yes, the project focuses on industrial reuse models and upscaling fiber-based solutions. It includes demonstrations in 3 EU countries by 2 major retailers covering 13 different food product types.
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not mentioned, but the project involves 16 industry partners and 3 SMEs developing these technologies.
Yes, it provides a pathway toward a normalized framework for food safety and washing methods for reusable packaging to serve as a reference at the EU level.
The project period runs from 2022-06-01 to 2025-11-30, with current phases laying the groundwork for upcoming demonstrations.
The consortium is heavily industry-driven, with 16 industrial partners (67% of the group) and 3 SMEs, ensuring that the developed fiber-based materials and reuse schemes are commercially viable. With 24 partners across 7 countries, the project leverages a wide network of retailers and technical centers to validate solutions across different European markets.
Contact ARWIN in France for details on the industrial reuse model.
Contact us to connect with the R3PACK consortium for fiber-packaging licensing.
