Smart Packaging Methods and Techniques
Smart packaging contains a range of technologies that enhance package functionality and communicate with the users. Sensors are one technology used to monitor packaging conditions and communicate changes in the product or environment to different stakeholders.
These sensors can be printed functional layers or indicators that provide qualitative or semi-quantitative monitoring through visual colour change. In the Watson project, VTT developed a printed oxygen indicator based on an oxidation-reduction reaction that results in a visual colour change in the presence of oxygen. The indicator can show if an oxygen-free package has been opened, alerting potential package tampering due to counterfeiting attempts. Furthermore, oxygen indicators can also indicate if there is a risk of spoilage for oxygen-sensitive food products.
Finetuning the indicator chemistries and developing other technologies, such as protective layers is required to control the indicator's reaction speed and sensitivity, enabling semi-quantitative monitoring. Furthermore, integrating multiple sensing capabilities into a single tag can broaden application cases for general food quality and safety monitoring. Finally, if the indicator is placed inside the food package, the direct and/or indirect food contact compatibility of the developed indicator chemistries must be ensured.
WATSON
Ongoing | 2023-2026
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Ireland, France, Italy, Greece, Finland, Denmark, Other, Portugal, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Cyprus, Belgium, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria