The Kick-off meeting for the INTACTBioPack project was held in Montpellier, France, on June 6-7, 2024. Forty participants from nine countries (France, Croatia, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, and Turkey) were welcomed by the University of Montpellier. The first day began with speeches from the PRIMA Project Officer, Mohamed Wageih, and the PRIMA Project Coordinator, Octavi Quintana Trias. This was followed by presentations from the project partners and a detailed discussion of the work packages. The meeting continued the next day with work package details.
University of Zagreb Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology (UNIZG-PBF)
The University of Zagreb Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology with team from Laboratory for Food Packaging has a long term expertise in development of bio-based food packaging films and coatings. In addition, Laboratory for Chemistry and Technology of Fruits, Vegetables and Aromatic Herbs are experts in encapsulation technologies, while Laboratory for the Biological Waste Water Treatment carries research on degradation and research on wastewaters.
Research of UNIZG FTBT is focused on the characterisation of important mass transfers for food packaging applications, like gas and water vapour properties, as well as various functionalities of active food pacakging materials; encapsulation of natural active compounds and biodegradation in water and sludge.
The team involved in the IntactBioPack project activites:
Laboratory for Food Packaging
Associate professor, Mia Kurek, PhD
mkurek@pbf.hr
Associate professor, Mario Ščetar, PhD
mscetar@pbf.hr
Laboratory for the Biological Waste Water Treatment
Full professor, Tibela Landeka Dragičević, PhD
tlandekadragicevic@pbf.hr
Assistant professor, Dijana Grgas, PhD
dgrgas@pbf.hr
Tea Štefanac, PhD
tsirac@pbf.hr
Laboratory for Chemistry and Technology of Fruits, Vegetables and Aromatic Herbs
Associate professor, Ivona Elez Garofulić, PhD
ielez@pbf.hr
Associate professor, Maja Repajić, PhD Associate professor, Maja Repajić, PhD
The Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA) is a research center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), located in Valencia, Spain. IATA focuses on research excellence in sustainable food production, safety, health impact and consumer acceptance.
The Institute has three main research divisions: Food Biotechnology, Food Science and Food Quality & Preservation, and conducts research in four key areas: Food and Process Innovation; Food Safety and Preservation; Food Biotechnology; and Nutrition, Microbiota and Health. With more than 50 researchers and a strong commitment to scientific innovation, IATA collaborates on national and international projects and actively transfers knowledge to industry and society.
The Microbiome Innovation in Nutrition and Health team aligns the work of the Diet, Microbiota and Health strategic line. The team has 20 members and is led by Professor Y. Sanz.
We investigate how gut bacteria influence obesity, metabolic disorders and mental health through the gut-brain axis. We also explore the potential of microbiota to promote circular and sustainable food systems. To this end, we are specialised in the development of microbiome-informed nutrition strategies, using advanced 'omics' technologies for comprehensive analysis. Key projects include European projects such as MyNewGut or EarlyCause, which focus on the impact of the microbiome on health, and CIRCLES or Tribiome, which focus on new food systems based on microbes. More recently, our group has joined the INTACTBioPAck consortium.
Mouloud Mammeri University University is an Algerian university established in 1977 in Tizi Ouzou, located in the Kabylia province in northeastern Algeria. It has over 65,000 students, 3,000 teachers and researchers, and 2,000 technical and administrative staff across 10 faculties. The University also houses about thirty research laboratories accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, covering diverse fields. Its commitment to international collaboration has led to numerous cooperation agreements with universities in various countries.
Quality and Food Safety Research Laboratory :
In 2014, the Quality and Food Safety Research Laboratory (QSA) was accredited (Ministerial Order No. 547 of 20/07/2014, Code: C1013500). It is comprised of four research teams headed by Professor Tahar Amrouche.
Team 1: Quality and Food Risk Management Team 2: Study of Local Agricultural Productions Team 3: Livestock and Animal Products in Mountainous Areas Team 4: Bioactive Molecules and Probiotics
Research Theme of the "Bioactive Molecules and Probiotics" Team:
The team’s activities focus on discovering new biologically active molecules, particularly substances that promote human health, such as prebiotics and antioxidants, as well as bacterial and fungal species with beneficial effects (probiotics). Their work also aims to develop combined or alternative methods to traditional preservation techniques, such as using substances with antimicrobial and/or antioxidant properties (essential oils, bacteriocins) for food biopreservation. This innovative approach is gaining increasing interest from scientists, industries, and consumers alike.
The team’s research involves two main areas:
The study of phytochemical (from local plant biomass) and microbial (microbial biomass) metabolites through extraction, purification, and molecular and biological characterization of extracts (e.g., polyphenols, alkaloids, bacteriocins) for use as food additives.
The isolation and characterization of bacterial strains with probiotic potential for inclusion in functional foods.
The Packaging Technical Center (PACKTEC)is a national institution founded in 1996 under the guardianship of the Ministry of Industry, Energy, and Mines in Tunisia. As a key technical partner to the packaging and printing industry, PACKTEC collaborates with a wide network of stakeholders, including manufacturers, converters, printers, recyclers, distributors, exporters, and end users.
With a mission to enhance the competitiveness of the sector, PACKTEC delivers a comprehensive suite of consulting and technical services across packaging, printing, transport, and logistics. Its expertise supports businesses in achieving quality, innovation, and sustainability at every stage of the packaging lifecycle.
What distinguishes PACKTEC is its integrated approach combining industry services, applied research, and strategic guidance. Through specialized laboratories and expert teams, PACKTEC offers:
Testing and analysis services across materials, processes, and performance
Consulting and market intelligence to inform product and business development
Packaging design and development, tailored for functionality and market appeal
Research and innovation focused on materials, recyclability, and eco-design
Professional training and capacity building
Strategic monitoring, standards alignment, and trend analysis
Sector promotion and event coordination
PACKTEC’s laboratories conduct a broad spectrum of tests covering the full packaging value chain—from raw materials to post-consumer waste. Each assessment addresses critical factors such as product safety, material compatibility, preservation quality, resistance to distribution stress, usability, ergonomics, and environmental impact.
By combining technical rigor with a forward-looking vision, PACKTEC plays a central role in modernizing the packaging sector and driving sustainable industrial development in Tunisia and beyond..
By integrating biotechnology, advanced diagnostics, and sustainable production systems, ISPA supports the technological innovation of both small and large enterprises, fostering a strong connection between scientific research and the agri-food sector while promoting technology transfer.
The secondary branch of ISPA in Foggia focuses on research and technology transfer in agriculture and the agri-food sector, addressing regional needs with sustainable and cutting-edge solutions. Its activities include the study and application of bio-based solutions to promote food system sustainability, quality, and safety, as well as the optimization of emerging and nature-inspired technological approaches through integrated hurdle technologies. Research also extends to post-harvest management of fresh and minimally processed fruit and vegetable products, the application and validation of non-destructive techniques for qualitative and compositional analysis, and the management of biological resources, with particular attention to marine biodiversity.
Additionally, ISPA in Foggia is engaged in biodiversity conservation, including the study of alien species, ensuring a comprehensive approach to innovation and sustainability in the agri-food sector.
The Nile University (NU) is Egypt’s first national, non-profit university, founded in 2006 by presidential decree and officially opened in 2007. In 2014, it took an important step forward, becoming an independently managed (Ahliya) institution, cementing its role as a pioneer in higher education. Recognized for its academic excellence, NU is fully accredited by Egypt’s Supreme Council of Universities (SCU), the national accreditation authority (NAQAAE), and internationally by Pearson UK.
It stands out as the #1 private university in Egypt for citation impact, ranks among the country’s top 10 in research, and is listed in the QS Top 350 Arab Region universities.
What sets NU apart is its deep-rooted commitment to impactful, multidisciplinary research and real-world innovation. Through specialized centers like the Center for Informatics Science (CIS) and the Nanoelectronics Integrated Systems Center (NISC), NU leads the way in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, biomedical sciences, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy.
With over 2,500 published research papers and 500+ national and international collaborations. NU ranked among Egypt’s top universities for entrepreneurship & innovation, NU isn’t just preparing students for the future; it’s actively shaping it. Guided by values of integrity, inclusion, and lifelong learning, Nile University continues to be a powerful force in advancing education, technology, and economic development across Egypt and the region.
Its mission is to advance scientific research and graduate education in Life Sciences, Chemistry, and Associated Technologies, contributing to improvements in Health and the Environment.
The scientific focus of ITQB NOVA lies in Molecular Biosciences, with particular emphasis on Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Structural Biology, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Systems Biology, and Chemical Biology.
By leveraging knowledge in these areas through a multidisciplinary approach, ITQB NOVA seeks to make a significant impact on the molecular bases of health and disease, the preservation of biological resources, and sustainable development. Within ITQB NOVA, Professor Silva Pereira’s Applied and Environmental Mycology Lab (https://itqbnovaaem.wixsite.com/aem-lab) conducts problem-driven research, often bridging the fields of Chemistry and Microbiology to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges.
The lab’s main research areas include the development of functional biomaterials, environmental mycology, and the application of ionic liquids in life sciences.
By integrating biotechnology, advanced diagnostics, and sustainable production systems, ISPA supports the technological innovation of both small and large enterprises, fostering a strong connection between scientific research and the agri-food sector while promoting technology transfer. The secondary branch of ISPA in Foggia focuses on research and technology transfer in agriculture and the agri-food sector, addressing regional needs with sustainable and cutting-edge solutions. Its activities include the study and application of bio-based solutions to promote food system sustainability, quality, and safety, as well as the optimization of emerging and nature-inspired technological approaches through integrated hurdle technologies.
Research also extends to post-harvest management of fresh and minimally processed fruit and vegetable products, the application and validation of non-destructive techniques for qualitative and compositional analysis, and the management of biological resources, with particular attention to marine biodiversity. Additionally, ISPA in Foggia is engaged in biodiversity conservation, including the study of alien species, ensuring a comprehensive approach to innovation and sustainability in the agri-food sector.
New University of Lisbon, Institute of Chemical and Biological Technology
Its mission is to advance scientific research and graduate education in Life Sciences, Chemistry, and Associated Technologies, contributing to improvements in Health and the Environment.
The scientific focus of ITQB NOVA lies in Molecular Biosciences, with particular emphasis on Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Structural Biology, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Systems Biology, and Chemical Biology.
By leveraging knowledge in these areas through a multidisciplinary approach, ITQB NOVA seeks to make a significant impact on the molecular bases of health and disease, the preservation of biological resources, and sustainable development. Within ITQB NOVA, Professor Silva Pereira’s Applied and Environmental Mycology Lab (https://itqbnovaaem.wixsite.com/aem-lab) conducts problem-driven research, often bridging the fields of Chemistry and Microbiology to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges.
The lab’s main research areas include the development of functional biomaterials, environmental mycology, and the application of ionic liquids in life sciences.
The Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA) is a research center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), located in Valencia, Spain. IATA focuses on research excellence in sustainable food production, safety, health impact and consumer acceptance.
The Institute has three main research divisions: Food Biotechnology, Food Science and Food Quality & Preservation, and conducts research in four key areas: Food and Process Innovation; Food Safety and Preservation; Food Biotechnology; and Nutrition, Microbiota and Health. With more than 50 researchers and a strong commitment to scientific innovation, IATA collaborates on national and international projects and actively transfers knowledge to industry and society.
The Microbiome Innovation in Nutrition and Health team aligns the work of the Diet, Microbiota and Health strategic line. The team has 20 members and is led by Professor Y. Sanz.
We investigate how gut bacteria influence obesity, metabolic disorders and mental health through the gut-brain axis. We also explore the potential of microbiota to promote circular and sustainable food systems. To this end, we are specialised in the development of microbiome-informed nutrition strategies, using advanced 'omics' technologies for comprehensive analysis. Key projects include European projects such as MyNewGut or EarlyCause, which focus on the impact of the microbiome on health, and CIRCLES or Tribiome, which focus on new food systems based on microbes. More recently, our group has joined the INTACTBioPAck consortium.
