Description
Although there are studies on the environmental impacts of different stages of fish processing (mainly fishing and transport), impacts related to packaging (materials/machinery) have not been studied extensively and has therefore not been optimized. The overall objective of this project is to find new sustainable packaging solutions for the fish processing industry, in order to reduce its environmental impact by decreasing the production of greenhouse gases with 10 to 15%. This project will examine the entire process of fish packaging, studying materials, and machinery and their parameters that affect the products' shelf-life. Consumers and retailers will benefit from packaging specifically developed for fish products, economic savings, and reduction of energy costs, packaging materials and environmental impacts. The consortium subcontracts, NOFIMA, is a Norwegian Research Institute that works on Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture. NOFIMA's task is to determine the requirements of the Norwegian fish packing industry and validate proposed solutions.
Summary of project results
It has been shown in this study that there are several strategies in design optimization of film that allow significantly reduce environmental impact, by referencing a film representing average properties market. A significant reduction in material consumption per diminution of thickness (up to 40%) can be achieved using different combinations of resins and removing rolling steps with varying properties they can be minimized. Further reduction of synthetic origin material (15-20%) can be obtained by substitution of naturally occurring minerals. In this case the properties are mostly affected, but the option can still be attractive for certain niche markets.
Summary of bilateral results
Collaboration with NOFIMA (Norwegian Institute Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research) was framed in the identification of the requirements of the fish industry (specifically Norwegian) about sealing properties of plastic materials used in packaging of the mentioned industry. Working plan / activities of NOFIMA can be summarized as follow: 1.- Information Searching. 2.- Information Analysis. 3.- Presentation of Conclusions.