The food production system is heavily reliant on fossil fuel derived plastics. This reliance spans both the early stages of the production process, for example in agricultural mulch, through to the latter stages in which food and beverages are packaged to enable food transportation, preservation, hygiene and safety, increasing the lifespan of foods and contributing to safety of foods and the retention of their nutritional content.

Plastic’s low cost, durability, and linear use with low levels of recycling is the source of numerous environmental challenges that impact whole ecosystems particularly at the end of life. These environmental impacts are further accentuated by coating agents and formulation additives that deliver a range of functional properties. These additives can in turn leach out into the surrounding environment including air, water, food or animal and human body tissues, in particular during biodegradation.

This Pathfinder Challenge aims to support ambitious interdisciplinary research that will lead to the development and production of sustainable nature inspired alternatives for food packaging and agricultural production such as, but not limited to, greenhouse and mulch films. These materials must have a reduced environmental impact, through design and production, while delivering the functional characteristics of plastics.

Proposals should look to bring forward ideas that span the product lifecycle from the development of novel sustainable materials, their design and production through to end of life, while maximising the time and extent of use. Abundant, naturally occurring materials that display properties to be optimized for food related applications with a reduced environmental footprint in production and enhanced scope for re-use recycling and biodegradability, including in extreme environments, will be encouraged.

Applicants are encouraged to develop synergies with relevant activities under Horizon Europe Cluster 6 Work Programme 2021 – 2022 and Work Programme 2023 – 2024, and its partnerships, in particular Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU).