Last week, the third consortium meeting of the European project NOVAPACK took place in Tunisia, bringing together project partners to review progress and coordinate the next steps towards the development of sustainable and antimicrobial packaging solutions for the agri-food industry.
During the meeting, partners discussed the technical achievements reached across the different work packages and outlined the upcoming activities related to the industrial validation of innovative coatings and biodegradable materials. These developments aim to enhance food preservation, improve food safety, and contribute to reducing food loss and waste throughout the value chain.
NOVAPACK promotes Mediterranean cooperation in the fields of innovation, sustainability, and circular economy. The project focuses on the valorisation of agri-food by-products as a source of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and functional properties. These compounds are being incorporated into novel sustainable packaging systems designed to replace conventional petroleum-based plastics while extending the shelf life of food products.
Following the first day of the meeting, project partners had the opportunity to visit the facilities of the University of Gabes and Zina Fresh. These visits provided valuable insight into the partners’ research and industrial activities, fostering knowledge exchange and strengthening collaboration between academia and industry within the NOVAPACK consortium.
The meeting in Tunisia provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen collaboration among project partners, exchange knowledge and expertise, and accelerate the development of innovative technologies that support a more sustainable and resilient Mediterranean food sector.
NOVAPACK continues to demonstrate how cross-border cooperation can drive the transition towards circular, bio-based, and environmentally friendly packaging solutions that address both food safety and sustainability challenges.
