ECHOS · Exploring aCtive edible materials based on pHenolic-biocOnjugates from agro-industrial by-products for Sustainable and healthy future food packaging

Exploring aCtive edible materials based on pHenolic-biocOnjugates from agro-industrial by-products for Sustainable and healthy future food packaging

The ECHOS project addresses the growing need for sustainable and circular food packaging solutions in line with the EU Circular Economy Action Plan and Bioeconomy Strategy. Conventional plastic packaging remains a major source of environmental pollution, while large volumes of agro-industrial by-products are generated every year with limited valorization. At the same time, food packaging must ensure food quality, safety, and shelf life, creating a demand for innovative materials that are both functional and environmentally responsible. The overall objective of ECHOS was to develop bio-based, food-grade functional materials derived from agro-industrial side streams for application in sustainable and active food packaging. The project focused on the recovery of natural phenolic–carbohydrate structures using green extraction technologies, their biomimetic enzymatic modification, and their validation in edible coatings and bio-based polymer films. ECHOS followed a clear pathway to impact, moving from sustainable resource recovery, through functional material design, to application-oriented validation. By demonstrating the technical feasibility of integrating natural extracts into edible coatings and PLA-based films, the project provides practical alternatives to fossil-based additives and synthetic packaging components. The project contributes to multiple societal and environmental needs by supporting waste valorization, reduced reliance on fossil resources, and improved food preservation, thereby helping to reduce food waste. At the scientific and technological levels, ECHOS delivers new knowledge on green extraction, enzymatic polysaccharide modification, and structure–property relationships in bio-based packaging materials. Overall, ECHOS lays the groundwork for future industrial uptake and upscaling of bio-based packaging solutions, reinforcing Europe’s transition toward a sustainable, circular, and bio-based economy, while also strengthening scientific capacity and public awareness in this field..

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз