OSY Group has announced that trials are under way across four continents for its flagship antimicrobial technology, which aims to increase the shelf-life of fresh produce and reduce food waste.
The company says it has struck deals with 21 partners in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore and India for commercial testing projects in a variety of market segments. The trials are being conducted by grocers, food producers, packaging companies and exporters, with a focus on fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, bread and fresh flowers.
OSY Group’s technology is an antimicrobial packaging coating called Xtend, which is said to enable a range of food items to stay fresh for longer by leaving microscopic pins on packaging surfaces which puncture and kill microbes, slowing the natural spoiling process that affects the produce within.
Apparently, the technology has already undergone extensive testing in the UK with a leading premium grocer and at independent laboratories, universities and other facilities, which has proven the technology to be food safe and compliant with the Food Contact Materials regulations for fresh produce. OSY Group is set to bring Xtend to market in the UK and internationally over the next few months.
The company recently received a five-figure grant from Innovate UK Business Growth under its Global Explorers Programme to advance partnership opportunities and undertake research projects for Xtend. OSY Group says it has also raised £1m from individual investors to sup,port its development.
OSY Group’s chief executive, Marc Braterman, said: “The data from our trials in the UK – both commercial and non-commercial – has been extremely positive and well-received, and we are excited to see further testing begin on an international scale.
“The investment we have received to date has given us the ability to undertake these trials so we can better understand the impact of our technology on different types of produce in other markets and climates, and on other forms of packaging.”
In related news, Prowrap announced in April that it had implemented antimicrobial technology, a patented sheathed safety blade and compatibility with recyclable film into two new models of its Speedwrap Pro dispenser. The company hopes to achieve a more sustainable, efficient and safer wrapping process.
More recently, Xampla partnered with Yili Innovation Centre Europe to test and validate its microscopic natural polymer capsules for preserving vitamins and nutrients in milk, cheese, yoghurt, and other dairy products. Through the partnership, Xampla intends to scale up its microcapsule technology from proof of concept to full-scale production.
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