Food Science & Sustainable Agri-Food Systems

BECOME advances research and innovation in sustainable food systems by combining food science, advanced materials, green chemistry, Artificial Intelligence and circular economy approaches.

Its research interests include transforming agro-industrial byproducts into functional materials, developing biodegradable and antimicrobial food packaging, and applying digital technologies to improve material classification, processing and quality.

Through international research collaborations, BECOME aims to translate scientific results into scalable technologies that support food safety, waste reduction and more sustainable agri-food value chains.

Define the food-system challenge

A research project starts with the food product, packaging function or byproduct stream to be investigated. Define the intended users, processing conditions, available materials and baseline before selecting a technology. Agree how food safety, material performance, resource use and potential scale-up will be evaluated.

Research Themes

• Sustainable Food Packaging
• Food Safety & Natural Antimicrobials
• Agro-Industrial Byproduct Valorisation
• Biopolymers & Biocomposites
• AI & Computer Vision for Agri-Food
• Circular Food Systems

Combine materials research and digital evidence

Potential investigations include extracting and characterising bio-based polymers, assessing natural antimicrobial agents and studying the mechanical and barrier properties of packaging materials. Laboratory evidence should describe the methods, comparison materials and limitations of each result.

AI and computer vision can be explored for feedstock classification and quality assessment where suitable data is available. Any proposed food-contact application requires validation appropriate to its intended use; research-stage performance alone does not establish market readiness.

Work across DeepTech domains

Advanced Materials & Nanotechnology connects biopolymers and composite design with material characterisation. Responsible AI & Scientific Computing provides a route to exploring classification and data analysis. Water, Climate & Circular Systems connects byproduct valorisation with resource use and environmental questions.

From Research to Applications

Research can explore potential applications in sustainable packaging, food safety and circular agri-food systems. BECOME develops research and innovation approaches that can contribute to sustainable agri-food systems, food safety, circular resource use and measurable development outcomes.

Build with the Mediterranean context

Mediterranean agri-food research brings together different crops, production conditions and industrial needs. Collaboration can begin by identifying locally available byproducts, scientific partners, potential users and the evidence needed to assess a proposed application.

SuN4Med provides a PRIMA research context for sustainable food packaging and coatings. Further opportunities can be scoped through International Cooperation, with responsibilities, resources and expected outcomes defined for each project.