91ÌÒÉ«

Less Waste, Without Compromising Food Protection

The primary functions of packaging remain the protection of the product, facilitation of transport and provision of information to consumers. New environmental requirements do not replace these functions but must be harmoniously integrated with them.

This direction is outlined, among others, by the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), applicable from 12 August 2026, which places emphasis on waste reduction, reuse and recycling. Manufacturers must take the entire life cycle of packaging into account already at the design stage.

However, the debate on sustainability should not overlook food itself. According to Eurostat data, more than 58 million tonnes of food waste were generated in the European Union in 2023. Properly designed packaging can help reduce these losses by providing better product protection and extending shelf life. For this reason, reducing material consumption must go hand in hand with food safety, and packaging should always be assessed together with its contents.

Bacteriophages: A Precise Biological Shield in Packaging

The Bio4Pak project is being implemented within the Horizon Europe programme and funded through the EIC Pathfinder Challenges instrument. The researchers aim to develop packaging made from biobased and biodegradable materials that will gain antibacterial properties through the incorporation of bacteriophages.

Phages (bacteriophages) are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. In the system being developed, phage release is intended to be controlled and triggered exclusively in response to signals originating from the target microorganisms. The project’s principal research model focuses on the use of bacteriophages targeting Salmonella bacteria in packaging designed for the storage of fresh poultry meat.

The scale of the problem is substantial. In 2024, 79,703 cases of salmonellosis in humans were reported in the EU, making it the second most frequently reported zoonotic disease. Antibacterial packaging is intended to provide an additional protective barrier, supporting standard hygiene practices and quality control measures.

Technological Challenges and Future Prospects

The work covers two types of materials: films and food trays. Researchers must combine the mechanical and barrier requirements of packaging, such as strength and gas permeability, with the preservation of full biological activity of the phages.

The project is currently progressing towards achieving Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL 4), which involves verifying the effectiveness of the solution under laboratory conditions. These results will provide a solid basis for decisions regarding the further commercial development of the technology.

About the Project

Bio4Pak is a research and innovation project coordinated by the 91ÌÒÉ« and carried out from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2029. It has received funding from the European Union under the Horizon Europe programme, EIC Pathfinder Challenges instrument, under Grant Agreement No. 101223372.

 

Edit: Mateusz Kowalski (Promotion Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, 91ÌÒÉ«)
Text: Dr Karolina Rudnicka, Associate Professor at the 91ÌÒÉ« and dr hab. PrzemysÅ‚aw PÅ‚ociÅ„ski, Associate Professor at the 91ÌÒÉ« (Department of Immunology and Infectious Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, 91ÌÒÉ«)
Photos: Wykreowani Marketing Agency and Mateusz Kowalski (Promotion Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, 91ÌÒÉ«)