The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa)
and retailer Lidl Switzerland have collaborated to develop a cellulose
protective coating for fruit and vegetables.
Plastic packaging in grocery stores protects fruits and vegetables from spoilage
but also creates significant amounts of often unrecyclable waste. Together with
Lidl Switzerland, Empa researchers have now developed a protective cover for
fruit and vegetables based on renewable raw materials. If used at scale, the
innovation could greatly reduce both packaging and food waste.
In Empa's Cellulose & Wood Materials laboratory, the researchers then spent more
than a year developing a special protective cellulose coating that can be
applied to fruits and vegetables. The result: Coated fruits and vegetables stay
fresh significantly longer. In tests, the shelf life of, for example, bananas and cucumbers
was extended by more than a week — this could significantly reduce fresh produce
waste.
“The big goal is that such bio-coatings will be able to replace a lot of
petroleum-based packaging in the future,"
said Gustav
Nyström, head of Empa’s Cellulose and Wood Materials lab.
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Empa’s process takes a substance called pomace — the solid residue left over
after extracting the juice from fruit, vegetables or plants (in this case,
carrots) — and processes it into fibrillated cellulose. Previously, this
byproduct was disposed of in biogas plants or directly on the field; going
forward, it can be used to create a protective coating for fresh fruit.
“We’ve developed a process where we can extract the cellulose that is naturally
contained in these vegetables that cannot otherwise be sold,” Nyström says.
The coating is either sprayed onto the fruit or applied to the produce as a dip
and is easy to wash off, though it is safe to eat. The potential of cellulose
coatings is still being explored — including, for example, the possibility of
adding vitamins or antioxidants. Building on similar food-waste reduction
solutions
from companies such as Apeel Sciences — and retailers’ growing shift to
reusable,
compostable
and other circular packaging
solutions
— the Empa/Lidl innovation could help put a significant dent in both food and
single-use packaging waste for retail.
The bottom of these 10-day-old bananas is protected by Empa's cellulose coating. | Image credit: Manifesto Films/Lidl Switzerland
“Our new coating technology is a milestone in our company history,” said
Torsten Friedrich, CEO of Lidl Switzerland. “With this protective film, we
will not only make a significant contribution to reducing food waste and
packaging materials, but also help to extend the expiration dates of food
products for our customers at home.”
France just became the first country to ban individual plastic
wrappers
for cucumbers and 30 other types of fruits and vegetables. The law just went
into effect, with a full phaseout for other produce by 2026. The government
estimates that it will eliminate more than a billion pieces of plastic packaging
a year.
According to Fast
Company,
the researchers concede that plastic still probably protects fruit better: “The
plastic is creating an almost perfect barrier; and it’s difficult to replicate
with a natural, biodegradable or edible material like we have,” Nyström said.
“So, it’s not really a fair comparison.”
Still, the solution shows great promise — and as more countries and companies
follow France’s lead and ban more and more types of plastic food packaging,
solutions such as cellulosic coatings stand to be a game-changer for food
shippers and retailers.
Empa says the cellulose layer will be tested and further improved over the next
two years, together with Lidl Switzerland and a fruit and vegetable supplier —
with the goal of rolling out the new technology across all 150 Lidl Switzerland
stores following the successful main trial.
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Sustainable Brands Staff
Published Jan 13, 2022 1pm EST / 10am PST / 6pm GMT / 7pm CET