A plant-based alternative for the plastic wrapping used to preserve fresh produce, such as cucumbers, has been launched by Swedish food-tech company Saveggy.
Described as the ‘first additive free plant-based protection for fresh produce’, the innovative coating is made from rapeseed oil and oat oil, and was developed by Saveggy in collaboration with Aarhus University and EIT Food.
The coating is currently undergoing a one-month pilot process in Sweden, in collaboration with retailer ICA and Odlarna.se, with cucumbers wrapped in the new material.
‘Without compromising quality’
“This innovation makes it possible for us to remove plastic from cucumbers entirely without compromising quality, something we know our customers appreciate,” commented Kerstin Lindvall, sustainability director at ICA.
According to Saveggy, the launch of the new innovation is well-timed ahead of European Union proposals to phase out single-use plastic packaging for fresh produce under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which are due to come into effect by 2030.
Saveggy’s founders, Vahid Sohrabpour and Arash Fayyazi, began developing the technology in 2020, undertaking research and development in collaboration with Lund University.
As the company notes, more than 3,000 tonnes of plastic are used each year across the EU to wrap cucumbers, making them a key focus for initial deployment.
Finding a balance
Commenting on the commercial trial, Fayyazi said, “Cucumbers highlight the challenge: food waste on one side, plastic-wrapped shelves on the other. Our goal is to reduce food waste and plastic pollution together – with respect for nature, people, and the resources that make our food possible.”
According to the company, more than 3,000 tonnes of plastic are used each year across the EU to wrap cucumbers, making them a key focus for initial deployment. Based on the results of the trial, Saveggy is hopeful that the coating could be adapted for a broader range of fruits and vegetables, with product develop ongoing to explore its applications in reducing food waste across various categories. Read more here.
