Whether it's schnitzel, steak or bratwurst: many meat products are sold in plastic film or containers so that they survive transport undamaged and have a longer shelf life. But how can food waste and environmental pollution caused by plastic waste be reduced? In the EU project MATE4MEAT, researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV are working with partners from five countries to set new standards for food packaging. The focus is on developing bio-based antimicrobial packaging technologies that inhibit the growth of unwanted microorganisms and thus extend the shelf life of food.

Biodegradable polymers from waste materials

The Fraunhofer team is focusing on the use of waste materials in the production of biodegradable polymers. These are to be used in vacuum and protective gas packaging for meat. To make food last longer, the bio-based plastics are to be equipped with antimicrobial agents. ‘This will enable a high level of product protection to be achieved while at the same time avoiding waste,’ they say.

Evaluating antimicrobial effectiveness

The researchers' task is also to evaluate the effectiveness of the various development stages under laboratory conditions and in ‘real-life’ applications. At the same time, they are checking whether the packaging samples meet the requirements of food law.

BMFTR supports Fraunhofer research

The MATE4MEAT project is funded by the European innovation and research programme Horizon 2020 from 2024 to 2027 as part of the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA). Researchers from Italy, Spain, Turkey, Cyprus and Algeria are involved in the project. The work of the Fraunhofer team is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).

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