Call for Cooperation Proposals
The Value4Pack call for cooperation proposals aims to bridge innovation gaps in the EU food packaging chain by seeking and supporting industry-driven value chain solutions and initiatives that align with the 4R goals: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Eligible ideas should focus on the following innovation areas:
Refuse
Innovations in this area should aim to eliminate unnecessary packaging making the material/product redundant by abandoning its function or by offering the same ability and function in a fundamentally different material/product. Potential innovation areas can include:
- Innovations that could eliminate the primary food packaging without leading to more food waste/loss.
- Development of digital solutions that minimize the need for physical packaging, such as GS1 engraving for direct product labelling.
- Development of edible/soluble packaging solutions.
- Development of a code of conduct for marketing and packaging to prevent overpackaging.
Reduce
Innovations in this area should aim to efficiently manufacturing the product through minimising natural resources applied and overall material usage. In the light of the circular economy plan it means reducing (over)packaging and packaging waste, including by setting targets and other waste prevention measures. Potential innovation areas can include:
- Designing thin, lightweight packaging that meets logistics and quality requirements.
- Creation of guidelines for eco-design in packaging, focusing on material efficiency and sustainability.
- Innovation in bulk transport and bulk purchasing to reduce packaging needs.
- Development of low carbon footprint mono-materials for packaging that do not require new machinery investments.
- Creation of bio-based and compostable packaging solutions to replace conventional plastics.
Re-use
Innovations in this area should focus on developing systems and solutions that enable packaging to be reused multiple times for the same purpose it was conceived. In the light of the circular economy plan it means driving design for re-use and recyclability of packaging, including considering restrictions on the use of some packaging materials for certain applications, in particular where alternative reusable products or systems are possible or consumer goods can be handled safely without packaging. Potential innovation areas can include:
- Establishing collect, wash, and re-use systems with efficient cleaning technologies.
- Implementation of return-and-refill systems, including deposit-refund models.
- Development of reusable (refillable) packaging solutions suitable for various segments, including food packaging.
- Creation of traceability solutions for reused packaging, incorporating digital technologies such as QR codes and GS1 engraving.
Recycle
Innovations in this area should aim to enhance the recyclability of packaging materials and improve any recovery operation by which waste materials are reprocessed into products, materials or substances whether for the original or other purposes. It includes the reprocessing of organic material but does not include energy recovery and the reprocessing into materials that are to be used as fuels or for backfilling operations. Potential innovation areas can include:
- Development of advanced recycling technologies, including chemical recycling and enhanced mechanical recycling methods.
- Designing packaging formats that facilitate better sorting and recycling processes.
- Utilization of by-products for developing recyclable packaging coatings.
- Creation of new materials that ensure appropriate barrier properties and comply with recycling standards.
- Establishment of closed-loop recycling models to ensure packaging materials are continuously recycled and reused within the value chain.
- Introduction of alternative options for laminated packaging that are easier to recover and recycle.
