Possibilities for Alternative Packaging Concepts in the Snack and Confectionery Industry – Recent Updates from Application-oriented Research

The Sustainable Packing Institute (SPI) is a specialist institute founded in 2019 by the Senate of the Albstadt-Sigmaringen University. It has set itself the goal of supporting all stakeholders in the packaging industry on their way to a more sustainable, circular bioeconomy. In doing so, the SPI focuses on six thematic areas: Biogenic Raw Materials, Process Technology and Process Design, Functional Materials, Smart Packaging, Preservation and Packaging, and Bioeconomy and Sustainability.

Food packaging, especially petrochemical-based packaging, plays an important role in the food value chain. They have four main functions: Wrapping, convenience, communication and protection. The protection function is the most important here, as it can help reduce food waste by extending the best-before date. Adequate food protection through packaging should therefore be a top priority in order to conserve resources and minimise negative environmental impacts. Adequate food protection is not only ethically and ecologically sound, but also economically beneficial.

Although packaging contributes to sustainability, it is often portrayed negatively. Through its research and teaching, SPI aims to contribute to the recognition of packaging as an important component of a sustainable bioeconomy.

This lecture will present new possibilities from application-oriented research for alternative packaging concepts in the snack and confectionery industry that could contribute to sustainability in the future.