The Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie (INAT), in partnership with the Centre Technique de l’Emballage et du Conditionnement (PACKTEC), launched a landmark initiative on Saturday, October 19, 2024, of the PRIMA INTACTBioPack Project Kickoff Meeting. Focused on advancing Tunisia’s role in sustainable food packaging, the seminar brought together experts, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to address challenges and innovations in biodegradable and bioactive packaging solutions.
A Vision for Sustainable Packaging
The INTACTBioPack project, supported by Tunisia’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research under the PRIMA Program, aims to develop intelligent, microbiome-based biodegradable packaging for Mediterranean foods. By integrating cutting-edge science and regulatory frameworks, the project seeks to reduce environmental waste while enhancing food safety and shelf life.
Highlights from the meeting
Opening Ceremony
The event commenced with welcoming remarks by Mr. Ghazi Krida, Director General of INAT, and Mrs. Narjess Maslah El Hammar, Director General of PACKTEC. Both emphasized the urgency of transitioning to eco-friendly packaging in Tunisia’s food sector.
Project Presentations
- Dr. Valérie Guillard (Project Coordinator, University of Montpellier) outlined the project’s objectives, stressing its focus on active, biodegradable materials interacting with food microbiomes to prolong freshness.
- Mrs. Ines Essid (INAT Coordinator) detailed INAT’s role in research and development, including testing bioactive compounds derived from Tunisian agricultural byproducts.
- Mrs. Marwa Ben Harb (PACKTEC) highlighted her institution’s contributions to scaling packaging prototypes and fostering industry partnerships.
Regulatory and Innovation Insights
- Mrs. Khaoula Khwaldia (INRAP) discussed the environmental and economic challenges of adopting biodegradable packaging, citing Tunisia’s growing waste management concerns.
- Dr. Yomna Ben Abdelmlak (INSSPA) provided a critical overview of Tunisia’s food packaging regulations, underscoring the need for updated policies to support innovation.
Roundtable: Collaborative Solutions
Moderated by Mrs. Olfa Daaloul (INAT), the roundtable united agriculture, manufacturing, and retail stakeholders to identify shared challenges. Key themes included:
- Cost barriers in producing biodegradable materials at scale.
- Consumer education and market acceptance of “smart” packaging.
- Strengthening public-private partnerships to align research with industry needs.
Looking Ahead
The kickoff meeting began a three-year collaborative effort, with INAT and PACKTEC leading pilot trials and stakeholder workshops in Tunisia.
Upcoming milestones include Lab-scale development of bioactive packaging materials, national awareness campaigns on the benefits of sustainable packaging, and policy advocacy to modernize Tunisia’s regulatory framework.
Join the Movement
For updates on the INTACTBioPack project, follow NTACTBioPack on social media or visit the website.
