EMBALAGEM DO FUTURO®

Packaging and Packaging Technologies

Take-Away Lunchboxes - Traceable and Reusable

Reusable and traceable lunchboxes for the take-away sector, made of polyethylene (PE). The goal is to replace traditional disposable packaging with circular solutions that can be returned, sanitized, and reused over multiple cycles, reducing the waste associated with the delivery and consumption of meals away from home. The incorporation of traceability mechanisms makes it possible to track the journey of each container, supporting the logistics management of the reuse system and the monitoring of its environmental performance. This solution addresses the growing demand for sustainable alternatives in the food service and distribution sector, aligning with the principles of the circular economy and future European regulatory requirements regarding reusable packaging.

Packaging and Packaging Technologies

260g - Probably the lightest 75 cl bottle in the world

Weighing just 260 grams, the bottle is about 30% lighter than a conventional 75 cl wine bottle, while maintaining the high standards of durability, quality, and performance demanded by the market. In addition, it contains up to 80% recycled glass, has 20% less surface area, and allows for 115 more bottles per pallet, increasing logistics efficiency by about 7% and reducing raw material consumption and environmental footprint.

The 260G’s presence at Expo 2025 Osaka marked an important milestone in this project’s international journey, as part of the “Meaningful Partnerships” exhibition at the Portugal Pavilion. The dual distinction awarded in 2026 by the Red Dot Awards represents yet another recognition of the “Packaging of the Future® Mobilizing Agenda’s” ability to promote innovative solutions that balance design, sustainability, and industrial competitiveness.

Packaging and Packaging Technologies

New co-injection process for manufacturing plastic packaging that incorporates recycled materials

This co-injection technology makes it possible to combine different layers of material into a single part, optimizing properties such as mechanical strength and barrier performance, while increasing the percentage of recycled content incorporated (from 15% to 30%). This process represents a breakthrough in the industrialization of circular packaging solutions, enabling the scaled-up production of more sustainable plastic packaging without compromising its functionality. It also helps reduce dependence on virgin plastic, meet European targets for incorporating recycled material into packaging production, and maintain the quality and performance standards required for food applications.

Packaging and Packaging Technologies

100% natural wood packaging for the food sector

Two new ranges of lightweight, 100% natural wood packaging for the food sector. One solution is produced from a single wood sheet with no added bonding elements, while the other is made from wood waste bonded together using a natural binder. These packaging solutions offer a biodegradable, renewable alternative to conventional plastic packaging, drawing on an abundant national resource — wood — to meet growing demand for naturally sourced, low-impact packaging. Development of these ranges combines functional design, structural lightness and the absence of synthetic additives, strengthening the Portuguese packaging sector`s position in offering genuinely circular and biodegradable solutions.

Packaging and Packaging Technologies

Cardboard Packaging for Food Contact and E-commerce

New reusable cardboard packaging with specific properties for direct food contact, while also meeting the logistical requirements of e-commerce. The solution combines food safety requirements—a natural barrier, moisture and grease resistance—with the structural strength needed to withstand transportation and handling typical of e-commerce distribution chains. This dual purpose addresses the rapid growth of online food sales, which demands packaging capable of protecting the product throughout the entire logistics process without compromising its safety and freshness. Since cardboard is a recyclable and renewable material, this solution reinforces the commitment to more sustainable packaging for one of the fastest-growing sales channels in recent years. The natural bio-polymer coating used in this corrugated cardboard as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic food contact materials and has been selected as a finalist in the packaging Sustainability Awards in the ‘Research & Development’ category, by Packaging Europe.

Packaging and Packaging Technologies

Intelligent Sustainable Fish Transport System with PetriTag®

This integrated solution redefines fish cold chain logistics, combining sustainable packaging, materials science, paper-based sensors, and real-time monitoring. Its core is a reusable transport box made of isothermal Expanded Polypropylene (EPP), incorporating recycled fishing industry materials. Replacing high-impact single-use boxes, it provides passive cooling without external energy, enables rapid sanitization, and extends product lifecycle within a circular economy model. A key innovation is PetriTag®, a patent-pending paper-based label offering real-time visual detection of bacterial contamination. A biopolymer matrix with chromogenic culture media changes color when target microorganisms are present, dynamically assessing freshness beyond static expiration dates. Its multi-spot configuration detects multiple bacterial strains, adding biological safety. The system also integrates IoT traceability, monitoring temperature, geolocation, and asset status, complemented by PetriTag®`s biological risk detection. With 35% of seafood lost along the supply chain and 59 million tons wasted annually in Europe, this scalable, circular solution transforms sustainable food logistics.

Packaging and Packaging Technologies

Flexible and rigid polyethylene packaging made with recycled material, for food contact

Polyethylene (PE) packaging for food contact—both flexible and rigid—incorporating recycled fossil-based material, intended for nuts and fresh produce. The project includes a closed-loop recycling proof of concept for PE food packaging, the development of flexible, single-material solutions (single-layer or multilayer) made from post-consumer recycled PE, and a prototype of rigid, single-material packaging in which recycled PE serves as a barrier layer.

Packaging and Packaging Technologies

Farm-to-Fork Traceability

A comprehensive “farm-to-fork” traceability process for food products and their packaging, utilizing automation and DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology). The system ensures the certified collection of critical events throughout the entire chain—production, processing, distribution, and consumption—and guarantees transparent and reliable communication of information to different customer segments, in both B2C and B2B contexts. This solution addresses the growing demand from consumers and regulatory bodies for greater transparency regarding the origin and journey of food products, strengthening trust in the supply chain and supporting more sustainable decisions by producers, distributors, and end consumers.

Packaging and Packaging Technologies

Predictive and Preventive Maintenance Tower

Preventive and predictive maintenance equipment designed for industrial environments, capable of monitoring the operation of multiple pieces of factory equipment in real time. The solution collects and analyzes data on equipment performance and energy consumption, making it possible to anticipate failures, plan maintenance interventions more efficiently, and significantly reduce unplanned downtime. By applying Industry 4.0 maintenance principles to the packaging industry, it helps increase productivity, reduce operating costs, and improve the energy efficiency of production lines, supporting the digital transformation of factories in the sector and strengthening their competitiveness and operational sustainability.

Packaging and Packaging Technologies

Certification Scheme for Sustainable and Digital Practices in the Packaging Value Chain

A new certification scheme designed to ensure the implementation of sustainable and digital practices throughout the packaging value chain. The goal is to provide companies in the sector with a credible benchmark that attests to their performance in sustainability and digitalization, thereby strengthening the efficiency, resilience, and competitiveness of the national value chain. This service addresses the growing demand from markets and regulators for verifiable evidence of sustainable practices.