The VIIAFOOD project, supported under the PRR, aims to promote the structural transformation of the Agrifood sector, through the creation of a platform, on a national scale, for the development of innovative products, processes and services, materializing in a strategic plan, with joint measures and actions oriented to the common objectives of the sector.

Project profile

Project name: VIIAFOOD - Platform for Valorization, Industrialization and Commercial Innovation for agrifood

Project Code: Investment Project number 37

Component:C5 Capitalization and Business Innovation

Region: Lisbon

Beneficiary: Logoplaste Innovation Lab (ILAB) 

Approval Date: 08-02-2023

Start Date: 01-10-2023    End Date: 31-12-2025

Total eligible cost: 3.653.775,93 EUR

The VIIAFOOD project, supported under the PRR, aims to promote the structural transformation of the Agrifood sector, through the creation of a platform, on a national scale, for the development of innovative products, processes and services, materializing in a strategic plan, with joint measures and actions oriented to the common objectives of the sector.

Thus, the VIIAFOOD Agenda aims to strengthen the collaboration between companies in the Agroindustrial sector, intersectoral companies and non-business entities to leverage the creation of synergies and the transfer of knowledge and technologies, accelerating research, Development and Innovation (R&D&I) in the context of the Agrifood sector.

It is in this context that the investment projects led by Sovena are included in the VIIAFOOD project, in the areas of Research and Technological Development (R&D) and Human Resources training.

Thus, is intended to promote R&TD efforts towards the realization of (i) a New Generation of Packaging Materials (NEWPACK), in consortium with SOVENA, Logoplaste Innovation Lab, IST, IST-ID and IPMA; (ii) New Process Technologies to produce Healthier and Safer Foods (MOH), in consortium with iBET; and at the level of (iii) Mill Byproduct Recovery (HidroX), in consortium with Perfinox, iBET and FFUL.

PPS NEWPACK

Challenges and Objectives

This project aims to develop a new packaging combining the following aspects:

• (I) the use of raw materials from renewable sources (alternatives to PET) with a constitution which, in the event of accidental disposal into the marine environment, is not harmful to fish and may additionally have a nutritional effect in the event of ingestion
• (II) Active Packaging, formulated with natural ingredients to optimize the shelf life of food products
• (III) Smart Packaging, using sensors that can provide information about the conservation conditions of the product and allow to track it throughout the distribution chain, in order to reduce food waste

The design of this new packaging represents a significant step forward in reducing the CO2 footprint of packaging systems, opening doors to new circular economy approaches for food packaging.