Sustainable and Novel Food Packaging based on Agroindustrial Byproducts and Natural Antimicrobials from the Mediterranean Area
SuN4Med is a Mediterranean collaborative research project dedicated to developing a new generation of sustainable, biodegradable, and antimicrobial food packaging and coatings. Designed to combat food loss and improve safety across the food supply chain, the project replaces non-biodegradable, petrochemical packaging with eco-friendly alternatives derived from local agro-industrial waste streams. Grounded in circular economy principles and green chemistry, SuN4Med combines bio-based polymer processing with natural active agents and digital technologies.
SuN4Med explores how Mediterranean agricultural byproducts—such as hazelnut, almond, peach, prickly pear, citrus, and grape pomace residues—can be transformed into advanced functional biopolymers. By extracting cellulose, pectin, and starch and reinforcing them with fillers (hydroxyapatite and mucilage) and natural antimicrobials, the project develops packaging films with enhanced mechanical strength, flexibility, and barrier performance. The ambition is to advance these eco-solvated biocomposites from scientific proof-of-concept (TRL 2) to industry-ready laboratory and field demonstrators (TRL 5–6).
SuN4Med integrates computational science and digital technology into sustainable packaging development through Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision tools. These intelligent classification systems automate the triage and characterization of industrial raw fruit and agricultural waste streams (provided by industrial partner Iberfruta), ensuring optimal biopolymer extraction, standardized feedstocks, and scalable manufacturing.
SuN4Med brings together 12 partners—comprising 8 academic and research institutions and 4 industrial leaders—combining complementary capabilities in materials science, green chemistry, digital technologies, and food processing:
Countries represented: Spain, Tunisia, France, Morocco, Turkey, and Germany.
SuN4Med bridges fundamental biopolymer research with prototype manufacturing and industrial applications. By marrying eco-designed biocomposites with AI-driven quality control and active antimicrobial functionality, the project establishes a practical path toward reducing food waste, eliminating single-use petrochemical plastics, and strengthening sustainable agrifood supply chains across the Mediterranean region and Europe.
Senior Researcher in Polymer Materials, Nanocomposites and Sustainable Materials Engineering
Sherif Keshk specialises in polymer materials, nanocomposites and sustainable materials engineering.
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This study investigated the potential enhancement of proton conductivity in Nafion membranes through the incorporation of sulfo ethyl cellulose (SEC) at varying weight ratios (5 and 10 wt.%). Results indicated that increasing the weight ratio of…
View detailsAn interesting approach was employed to fabricate ion exchange membranes tailored for proton exchange membrane applications. This involved blending low sulfonated polyether sulfone octyl sulfonamide (LSPSO) with Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) clay at varying weight ratios…
View detailsLow-sulfonation-level polyether sulfone octyl sulfonamide (LSPSO) was blended with a layered double hydroxides (LDHs, Mg2AlCl)/sepiolite nanostructure clay as a fller to create an electrolyte membrane for fuel cell applications. Comprehensive characterization of the composite membranes was…
View detailsAn innovative methodology was employed to fabricate ion exchange membranes tailored for fuel cell applications. This approach entailed blending low sulfonated polyether sulfone octyl sulfonamide (LSPSO) with Hectorite (Hect) clay at varying weight percentages (1 wt%,…
View detailsChitin present in the shell of edible insects is a potential source of chitin, lipids, and proteins, and it exerts various biological activities. Thus far, only a few studies have focused on the use of chitin…
View detailsThe increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere poses significant challenges for its capture. Carbon dioxide emissions contribute substantially to the greenhouse effect, leading to detrimental effects on ecosystems and drastic climate change. In this…
View detailsComposite membranes comprising sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) blended with varying proportions of sulfoethyl cellulose (SEC) at 5 wt% and 10 wt% were fabricated for fuel cell application. The structural, morphological, and thermal properties of…
View detailsThe development of cost-effective materials for fabricating electrodes is crucial for drug, pharmaceutical and environmental applications. This paper presents the synthesis and characterization of a novel polyketimine (PKI) membrane obtained by condensing partially of different weight…
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