Developers of smart and multifunctional packaging concepts based on nanotechnology can apply for European funding that aims to harness the expertise and encourage the participation of industrial partners including small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
The European Commission has just published calls for proposals in a wide range of scientific disciplines including nanotechnologies, and a total fund value approaching €6.4 billion.
Large projects coming under Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies are allocated €270 million. These collaborative projects will request grants in excess of €4 million. For the first time, there will be reserved budgets for SMEs and their participation must reach 35%.
Projects will embrace nanocoatings or thin films to enhance consumer safety and extend the shelf life of packaged, perishable goods; smart features that use nanotechnology such as indicators, sensors, protection against counterfeit and tampering, product traceability indicators, interactive and biometric components which can be added to packaging using low cost printing technologies, such as roll-to-roll printing; materials from sustainable and renewable sources, recyclable in existing chains or biodegradable; and resource-efficient (material, energy, water) production.
A further call is for research into advanced packaging materials from renewable biogenic resources, that is, food production waste or other by-product. Proposals must be demonstrated with a full life-cycle analysis. These small or medium-scale projects are expected to promote joint work between the EU and emerging economies and developing countries of Latin America.
Full details are posted on the Cordis website. Confidential discussions to see whether projects may be eligible are being offered by Pera Innovation; email mark.gaddes@pera.com