Research
Clemson FRESH is distributing $5 Million in funding
F RESH, in partnership with the USDA, has established the Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab to support specialty crop exports. New regulations in Canada and Europe have heightened the demand for innovative packaging solutions for fresh fruits and vegetables. Together with Clemson University's Packaging Science program, FRESH is distributing RFPs focused on addressing the following:
Increasing PCR content in primary food packaging.
Increasing reusability in transport and group packaging.
Finding new formats for banned materials such as shrink-wrapped individual containers under 1.5KG and PFAS coatings.
Developing compostable labels.
Other research and LCA's to support new packaging designs for specialty crop exports to Canada and Europe.
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Proposal Tracks
- Track 1 (Applied R&D) seeks proposals aimed at bringing a solution for specialty crop exports that is still at the laboratory stage but shows high promise to be implemented in pilot-scale manufacturing with minimal further effort. Such projects would exist at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4 or 5 (demonstration / validated in a laboratory or relevant environment) at project inception with the goal of moving the technology to the pilot stage where it can be demonstrated in a manufacturing or operational environment (TRL 6-8). It is highly recommended that applicants demonstrate capabilities to perform pilot scale operations toward project completion or join with an industry partner with such capabilities. Project activities could include product development, validation and testing of packaging performance, cost and lifecycle analysis of the manufacturing process, and other activities aimed toward pilot, an ultimately, commercial scale production.
- Track 3 (Scale-up and pilot) seeks proposals to run pilot-scale manufacturing projects aimed at commercializing a packaging solution for specialty crop exports. Projects will consist of demonstrating the ability to commercialize a new packaging format, including initial pilot studies, process refinement, tooling, optimization for cost and repeatability, or refinement of a manufacturing process based on the needs of a new packaging format. The emphasis of this track is toward moving a product to commercial production, satisfying the needs of new packaging requirements described below.
- Publications
