Packaging innovation projects up for auction at Interpack
Interested parties can now register their interest in one or more of the projects and will have the opportunity to bid against each other when the innovations go under the hammer at the industry-first event to be staged on 17 May as part of the trade show in Dusseldorf, Germany.
The HighTech Europe Knowledge Auction aims to promote the transfer of scientific projects into marketable products, Christian Colmar of research group ttz Bremerhaven, told FoodProductionDaily.com.
“It’s a communication tool to bring industry and scientists together,” he added.
Packaging specialists
The auction is primarily aimed at packaging specialist – including packing developers, producers, process engineers, designers and researchers, as well as food manufacturers.
Submissions by innovators were assessed by a six-person expert panel who finally selected four projects to be up for grabs at the auction.
These include initiatives on incorporating metal-based nanomaterials as antimicrobials in food packaging, a functional edible food coating with optional antimicrobial properties and a whey coating that improves the water barrier performance of paper and board packaging.
In ordered to be included, the innovations had to be non-commercialised and unique. They could be prototypes or patents – pending or otherwise - and must provide intelligent solutions, said ttz Bremerhaven project manager Annika Gerring.
She added “They were chosen based on their potential for functionality, innovation, economic efficiency and environmental impact.”
First of many?
Interested bidders can now register their interest at the HighTech Knowledge website, where they can also learn more about the research. The registration deadline is 2 May, although bids on the day will also be accepted, said Gerring.
She said bidders can offer “rather symbolic amounts” at the auction as winners gain first rights to negotiation rather than rights to the knowledge itself.
Project organisers said if the event was successful, it could be the first of many across Europe.
The HighTech Europe Network of Excellence consists of 21 industrial and research partners from Europe and one Australian research institute. The overall aim of the four-year project is to introduce high-tech bio, nano and ICT technologies to food markets to strengthen the competitiveness of the European food industry, especially SMEs It also aims to improve communication and knowledge transfer in the food sector.
For more information about the Knowledge Auction visit www.knowledgeauction.eu
