Description du projet
Des gaz de traçage pour réduire les pertes de produits frais
La production durable de denrées alimentaires joue un rôle de premier plan depuis les tout premiers âges de la civilisation, et elle s’avère particulièrement cruciale à notre époque. Les produits agricoles contribuent à la production d’autres denrées alimentaires et constituent des produits à part entière. Malheureusement, les produits frais sont très peu durables: 33 % des fruits et légumes frais sont perdus ou gaspillés, en particulier pendant leur stockage à long terme, ce qui entraîne d’importantes pertes financières pour l’industrie alimentaire. Le projet MAX-FRESH, financé par l’UE, vise à lutter contre ce problème en développant le premier capteur automatisé multi-espèces de gaz à l’état de traces qui permet la détection de sept gaz volatiles révélateurs de la maturation, de la fermentation, des dommages ou de la pourriture des produits. Ce dispositif contribuera à réduire les pertes de produits frais jusqu’à 50 % et à prolonger leur durée de conservation.
Objectif
Today, the fresh produce supply chain is highly unsustainable: 33% of the produced fruit and vegetables is either lost or wasted, of which 10% occurs during long-term storage. This loss also has a major financial impact on the food industry. For stored apples, pears and blueberries alone, the global economic loss equals €6.1 billion per year. However, a significant part of current storage losses could be prevented if only continuous monitoring of stored products was possible so that appropriate measures can be taken.
In the MAX-FRESH project, we will develop the innovative ISS-Monitor: world’s first automated multi-species trace gas sensor that can simultaneously and in real-time detect low levels of 7 volatile gases that indicate ripening, fermentation, damage or rotting of stored fruit. Once unfavorable conditions are detected, the ISS-Monitor will provide automated alerts to enable timely and effective interventions by its customers. The ISS-Monitor has the potential to reduce losses of stored fresh food by 50%, extend storage life with 20%, and reduce post-harvest chemical treatments with 50%.
The MAX-FRESH project builds on a functional prototype of the ISS-Monitor which demonstrated proof-of-performance in a relevant environment. During the MAX-FRESH project, we will take the final steps required to launch the ISS-Monitor on the market. To do so, we apply for €2.2 million (77%) from the EC. The MAX-FRESH project will be performed by a complementary consortium of 3 market-leading industrial partners and 1 academic partner, combining cutting-edge technologies with unique expertise.
After completing the MAX-FRESH project in 2023, the ISS-Monitor wil be ready for market launch. By doing so, the ISS-Monitor will make an impact on the global food production system by contributing to sustainable food production for the ever-growing world population. Sales of the ISS-Monitor will generate cumulative revenues of €110 million for the MAX-FRESH consortium.
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IA - Innovation actionCoordinateur
9190 Stekene
Belgique