--- title: "Smart Food Chain meeting at AIPIA Congress - AlmaScience" description: "AlmaScience joins the Smart Food Chain consortium meeting in Amsterdam: 50+ companies from 13 EU states working to cut food waste by 20%." url: "https://almascience.pt/news/events/smart-food-chain-consortium-meeting" date: "2026-10-16T06:11:00+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- # News ![Smart Food Chain - minimize waste in food supply]() ## AlmaScience to attend Smart Food Chain consortium meeting at AIPIA World Congress Claudine Boeglin, Rui Braz [Events](https://almascience.pt/news/events) 15 November 2024 13 minutes read - [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Falmascience.pt%2Fnews%2Fevents%2Fsmart-food-chain-consortium-meeting "Facebook") - [ ](https://twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Falmascience.pt%2Fnews%2Fevents%2Fsmart-food-chain-consortium-meeting&text=AlmaScience+to+attend+Smart+Food+Chain+consortium+meeting+at+AIPIA+World+Congress "X (formerly Twitter)") - [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Falmascience.pt%2Fnews%2Fevents%2Fsmart-food-chain-consortium-meeting&title=AlmaScience+to+attend+Smart+Food+Chain+consortium+meeting+at+AIPIA+World+Congress "LinkedIn") AlmaScience will attend the Smart Food Chain consortium meeting, which will be held during the AIPIA World Congress in Amsterdam on November 18-19. The Smart Food Chain is a consortium bringing together 50+ companies from 13 EU member states to develop and implement effective smart packaging technologies to restructure conventional food supply chains with the goal of reducing food waste by 20%. AlmaScience is a partner in this pan-European effort headed by AIPIA – the Active and Intelligent Packaging Industry Association –, bringing its expertise in smart, sustainable technologies and solutions in smart packaging in general and supply chain traceability in particular to the table. ### The goal: cut food waste by 20% Recently, there has been a surge in interest in, and development of, intelligent connected packaging technologies to reduce food waste, improve supply chain efficiency and traceability, and enhance consumer engagement. Food safety, food security, and [The food waste versus packaging waste conundrum](https://almascience.pt/news/thought-piece/the-food-waste-versus-packaging-waste-conundrum) – are now central issues that must be addressed at every stage. New smart packaging technologies can offer vital data all along the value chain to ensure stakeholders make the right decisions at the right time. The [Smart Food Chain consortium](https://www.aipia.info/smart-packaging-AIPIA-Smart-Food-Chain-41.php) brings together a group of experts from every stakeholder in the value chain to develop a completely new supply chain. ![The Smart Food Chain consortium members and partners]() Nowadays, the supply chain is divided into data silos. Data interoperability between different systems from multiple suppliers and retailers is required for a full food supply chain solution. In this context, the consortium aims to: - Generate and better use of data generated by smart packaging. - Use of active and sustainable packaging to increase shelf life. - Integrating sensors and condition indicators for better quality control. - Develop connectivity components and modules. - Develop an interoperable data system enabling advanced data analytics for supply chain management. The Smart Food Chain consortium aims to significantly reduce food loss across the supply chain, improve overall food quality and safety, and provide end-to-end traceability. The overarching goal is to reduce food waste by 20%. In this first in-person meeting of all Smart Food Chain consortium members, several roadmaps will be outlined, including: - Connecting the Smart Packaging industry. - Updating stakeholders on the Smart Food Chain initiative. - Distributing roadmaps and tasks. - Sharing rules and processes for managing funding. The consortium’s goal aligns directly with the EU’s Electronic Components and Systems (ECS) Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), which is the main subject of a European subsidy call (Chips-JU). As such, the Smart Food Chain consortium proposal has been submitted for EU funding. ### AlmaScience’s role: sustainable, cost-effective connectivity at the individual item level Our relationship with the natural world has undeniably changed. So has our willingness to understand where our food comes from, how it is transported to local stores, and how to better preserve its quality. Traceability and transparency have become essential to building a fair relationship between food producers, brands, distributors, and consumers. According to AIPIA, logistics *“doesn’t just determine the reach of distribution; logistics delays and conditions profoundly affect the quality and safety of the products received by consumers and can result in food loss and waste in the supply chain”*. The most critical aspect of packaging for perishable goods is maintaining the required temperature throughout the journey. Fresh fruits and vegetables need ventilation to prevent spoilage from trapped gases like ethylene. Meat and seafood must be kept at extremely low temperatures to prevent bacterial growth. As a collaborative innovation R&D lab and a technology incubator for sustainable, functional materials and green electronics, AlmaScience has developed cost-effective, easy-to-produce, high-performance technologies and solutions with low environmental footprint addressing challenges in the food supply chain and the retail industry. ![SmartPack Report]() In the context of the Smart Food Chain consortium, AlmaScience is contributing with its [SmartPack Report](https://almascience.pt/solutions/smartpack) solution that leverages printed, chipless RFID tags for comprehensive product identification throughout the supply chain. These tags, printed using mainly carbon-based inks, offer unmatched cost-effectiveness and sustainability, allowing any product, even individual vegetables, to receive its own digital passport: imagine learning about an apple’s origin, date of collection, and more at the weighing station in the store. Moreover, they can incorporate sensing capabilities to monitor factors such as temperature and humidity during the product's journey. When the product is consumed and the journey is over, the tags can easily be recycled in the paper stream, with zero e-waste. Chipless RFID tags offer dramatically improved cost-effectiveness when compared with the passive, chip-based RFID tags that are commonly used today. In addition, these tags contain only trace amounts of metal and are produced by printing rather than by conventional production of electronic devices, ensuring compatibility with paper recycling methods and capabilities already in place. ### The AIPIA World Congress 2024 The first in-person meeting of the Smart Food Chain consortium takes place alongside the [AIPIA World Congress 2024](https://events.awa-bv.com/AIPIA2024-Congress#/?lang=en), the global meeting point for the Smart Packaging sector, covering a comprehensive spectrum of technologies, including both active and intelligent applications. ![AIPIA World Congress 2024]() The Congress brings together major brands and newcomers in the field of smart packaging and related sectors. The event aims to boost fast-growing coalitions between public and private sectors, actors in tech innovation, and major brands in the retail and packaging industries, with clear goals: - Actively address and reverse the growing pattern of food waste through inventions, collaborations, commitments, and a shared goal with the European Commission: climate neutrality by 2050. - Engage consumers through smart devices and tech solutions that trace and monitor food quality from its origin to their households, enhancing traceability and transparency and reducing food waste along the supply chain and at home. - Ignite new business models for both established players willing to change and emerging companies committed to environmental sustainability with scalable, cost-effective solutions to minimize e-waste and food waste. The Congress serves as a space for meetups and a marketplace, paying tribute to the latest innovations and future coalitions in smart sustainability and data collection. Timely innovations on the spot include the rapid development of QR codes, RFID/NFC, edible watermarks, anti-bacterial detectors, electronic noses, and more. The AIPIA World Congress has established itself as an open-minded meeting place for all actors in smart packaging technologies. In its vision and structure, this upcoming event (November 18-19, in Amsterdam) is tangible proof that constructive dialogues are possible – between consumers and brands and between public and private sectors. It also facilitates collaboration between labs and companies with complementary expertise in tech innovation, extending across Europe and beyond. This event has the potential to set new realms of business strategy and market development, with all the main actors gathered under one roof. With public and private sectors sitting at the same table, EU regulations, for example, can be seen as an incentive for sparking new ideas rather than a business threat – challenging old stereotypes against regulation. > *The format is ideal for creating the kind of organized chaos that is a hallmark of the AIPIA event, bringing energy, innovation, and stimulating collaboration.* > – Eef de Ferrante, Managing Director of AIPIA This explains why the AIPIA World Congress has already sent ripples across the industry. Major international brands, such as Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, FrieslandCampina, Kraft Heinz, MSD Merck, AB InBev, Vion Food Group, Tetra Pak, and retail group Auchan, have all signed up to participate, either as speakers or participants. Thematic panels will bring together brands and technology providers. Themes will tackle the future trajectory of smart packaging innovation or the role of new technologies in preventing food waste. Keynotes by brand owners will elaborate on timely topics, including the ever-present AI. Four core themes will form the foundation for discussions and debates, led by experts in the field: - Smart Packaging for Sustainability - Driving Innovation in Connected Packaging - Powering Supply Chains & Data Management - Food Safety and Security: the Smart Food Chain There’s no doubt the AIPIA World Congress holds a unique position in the world of Smart Packaging Technologies. As a hub for active, sustainable, and intelligent innovations, the event offers technology providers the opportunity to spearhead their solutions through effective collaborations, bringing end-to-end solutions to the market faster. ### From Farm to Fork: Zero Food Waste tastes better All together toward the European common goal of climate neutrality by 2050: the mission is to reinvent the food supply and transform the status quo of food waste into an ambitious and actionable zero-waste goal: the Smart Food Chain. This mission creates business opportunities while positioning the packaging sector on track for climate neutrality by 2050. In November 2022, the EU Commission launched the initiative **"European Green Deal: Putting an End to Wasteful Packaging, Boosting Reuse and Recycling"**. This initiative was founded "to tackle this constantly growing source of waste and consumer frustration". Two years later, the skies are starting to clear up. A whirlwind of initiatives, innovations, laws, and regulations, along with the meticulous and activist work of devoted researchers in biochemistry and bioelectronics, have started to make their mark. What's changed is the level of active engagement now expected from everyone. We, be it as consumers, food producers, distributors, or retailers, all have an active role in this movement. This idea itself represents a 21st-century innovation and accelerator: the understanding that technologies, tools, and human will can collectively and simultaneously be mobilized for a shared, global task. A global pandemic served as a real-time, life-threatening rehearsal for this concept of collective accountability. **Our mission as consumers:** the European Commission’s mandate is clear and actionable in daily life: as consumers, we must choose reusable packaging options at the expense of unnecessary overpackaging and correctly recycle the packaging unsuitable for reuse. **Our mission as companies:** according to the EU Commission, the mission is to create new business opportunities, especially for smaller companies; decrease reliance on virgin materials; boost Europe's recycling capacity; and make Europe less dependent on primary resources and external suppliers. Collectively and individually, the industry must put the packaging sector on track for climate neutrality by 2050. **How do we meet these objectives?** First, by standing on common ground. Fighting to reduce food waste is a matter of ethics, economic evolution, and progress. It’s about saving money for both households and companies. It’s about providing space for dedicated minds and innovations to push the boundaries of sustainable supply chain optimization. Most importantly, it’s about ceasing the depletion of our environment and acknowledging its finite resources. Equally critical is ensuring that nutritious food is redistributed to those in need, helping to eradicate hunger and malnutrition. ### The Convergence Challenge The technology and ideas are here. What’s needed? The willingness to collaborate across multiple fronts (public/private, complementary expertise, competitive grants, etc.) requires everyone to be on board at the right moment. The packaging industry is under significant pressure to reduce waste and improve sustainability. Consumers are demanding more eco-friendly packaging, while companies are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. The ultimate goal is to modernize what is often an opaque logistical and transport system. This modernization will rely on shared data and knowledge within an open, transparent dialogue between food producers, distributors, and consumers of food brands. AIPIA has stated that *“food safety, food security, and waste reduction, both in food and packaging, are now central issues that must be addressed at every stage. New smart packaging technologies will offer vital data to the value chain, ensuring stakeholders make the right decisions at the right time.”* Zero-Food Waste as a coalition relies on four major concepts: 1. **Sustainable Innovation** To invent and develop technologies and solutions with low or zero e-waste, aimed at tracing, scaling, identifying, analyzing, and preserving food freshness with enhanced quality control, thereby reducing waste. 2. **Collaboration as a mindset** Active collaboration is key to making this ambitious plan realistic and actionable. Overlapping networks, partnerships between public and private sectors, complementary technologies and expertise, and cooperation between producers and distributors, consumers, and brands will drive success. 3. **Accountability** Accountability rests with everyone. It’s the ability to show character, courage, and commitment when faced with global challenges. Recognizing our shared responsibility is the first step. The next is to generate enough imagination, skills, and willpower to change the status quo, engage with what’s needed, and apply those changes each day, every day. 4. **Trust** Building new ways of doing things requires bringing people and entities together despite their differences. This process needs trust. Trust that food waste can be minimized, and the belief that collaboration will lead to change. For example, no consumer will contribute – without resistance – if the industry’s transparency isn’t genuine and free of hidden agendas. On the other side, no food producer will commit to something that threatens their business model. Therefore, shared platforms and the capacity to listen and find information are essential. ### A coalition can create a movement The 21st century presents environmental challenges and responsibilities. Beyond technological advancements, data, and knowledge shared on a large scale, the next threshold is to weave ethics and business together at the root of every project and product. This can ensure market longevity and sustain trust, bringing more people on board. Our ability to be accountable and to hold others accountable is, after all, the foundation of what society offers at its best – resilience and interconnectedness. Combine generosity of skill, time in collaboration, and a concern for future generations, and we have a promising path forward. To this effect, the goal of the Smart Food Chain consortium is primarily to minimize waste in the food supply. It requires effective smart packaging technologies to restructure and optimize conventional food supply chains. Most importantly, collective commitment across the industry, paired with small daily actions from each of us, will bring actionable solutions and foster social cohesion. --- #### Facts about food waste - In the EU, over **59 million tonnes** of food waste (**132 kg/inhabitant**) are generated annually, with an associated market value estimated at **132 billion euros** ([EU, 2023](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52023SC0421)). - At the same time, **over 42 million people** cannot afford a quality meal every second day ([Eurostat, 2023](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_mdes03/default/table?lang=en)). - Globally, approximately **a third of all food produced** for human consumption is lost or wasted ([FAO, 2011](https://www.fao.org/publications/sofa/2011/en/)). - Households generate more than **half** of the total food waste (**54%**) in the EU, accounting for **72 kg per inhabitant** ([Eurostat, 2024](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Food_waste_and_food_waste_prevention_-_estimates)). - The remaining **46%** of food waste is generated in the food supply chain: - **19%** by the manufacture of food products and beverages (**25 kg per inhabitant**), - **11%** by restaurants and food services (**15 kg per inhabitant**), - **8%** in the retail and other distribution of food (**11 kg per inhabitant**), - **8%** in the primary production (**10 kg per inhabitant**) ([Eurostat, 2024](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Food_waste_and_food_waste_prevention_-_estimates)). - Globally, over **1 billion tons** of food waste were generated in 2022: - **60%** came from households, - **28%** from food services, - **12%** from retail. ([UNEP Food Waste Index, 2024](https://www.unep.org/resources/publication/food-waste-index-report-2024)) - This means **19%** of food available to consumers is wasted at the retail, food service, and household levels. - On average, each European generates almost **180 kg** of packaging waste per year. - **40% of plastics** and **50% of paper** used in the EU are destined for packaging. - Without action, the EU would see a **19% increase** in packaging waste by 2030. For plastic packaging, the number goes up to a **46% increase**. - Food waste has a significant environmental impact, accounting for about **16% of total greenhouse gas emissions** from the EU food system. - Everyone can contribute to the EU's commitment to meeting **Sustainable Development Goal Target 12.3**: to halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer level by 2030 and reduce food losses along production and supply chains. ([Sustainable Development Goals](https://sdgs.un.org/goals)) - In 2022, **65% of packaging waste** was recycled, and about **80%** was recovered for reuse ([Eurostat, 2024](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Packaging_waste_statistics#Recycling_and_recovery_targets_and_rates)). #### Glossary **European Green Deal** The European Green Deal is a strategic plan aimed at transitioning the EU towards a climate-neutral, sustainable economy. It targets key sectors such as transport, energy, agriculture, and industries such as steel, cement, ICT, textiles, and chemicals. Its goals include moving to a clean, circular economy, addressing climate change, reversing biodiversity loss, and reducing pollution. [Read more here](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20200618STO81513/green-deal-key-to-a-climate-neutral-and-sustainable-eu). **Smart Packaging** Smart packaging differs from traditional packaging by monitoring and providing real-time information on the condition of products, rather than relying on estimated expiration dates. It is especially useful for perishable goods, medicines, and hazardous materials. **Competitive Grants** Competitive grants are awarded through a merit-based application process. Applicants submit proposals that outline their project, budget, and intended outcomes. The funding provider assesses the submissions to identify those that best align with its goals and offer the most impactful solutions. - [ SmartPack ](https://almascience.pt/component/tags/tag/smartpack) - [ PapeRF ](https://almascience.pt/component/tags/tag/paperf) - [ Smart Packaging ](https://almascience.pt/component/tags/tag/smart-packaging) - [ Printed electronics ](https://almascience.pt/component/tags/tag/printed-electronics) - [ Food waste ](https://almascience.pt/component/tags/tag/food-waste) - [ Packaging waste ](https://almascience.pt/component/tags/tag/packaging-waste) ### Continue reading... 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The Smart Food Chain is a consortium bringing together 50+ companies from 13 EU member states to develop and implement effective smart packaging technologies to restructure conventional food supply chains with the goal of reducing food waste by 20%. 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The Smart Food Chain is a consortium bringing together 50+ companies from 13 EU member states to develop and implement effective smart packaging technologies to restructure conventional food supply chains with the goal of reducing food waste by 20%. 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