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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CellSorb (Cost-efficient and safe cellulosic food pad)

Teaser

Summary

Food pad absorbers used to soak up the exuded liquids and keep the fresh food, are mainly made from synthetic super absorbent polymers-SAP (e.g. sodium polyacrylate) due to their superior price- efficiency balance. Nevertheless, proven toxicity and carcinogenic effects related with their use have raised growing health concerns. Besides, they cannot be recycled as waste and should be disposed in landfills or incinerated resulting in a highly harmful impact on the environment. To put these dangerous practices aside, there is a need for economical, biodegradable and non-toxic pads to compete with the synthetic ones. Reacting to this need, CELLCOMB has developed Cellsorb - a completely safe, non-toxic and biodegradable absorbent food pad, made from bioplastics and highly absorbent micro cellulose material with the following outstanding features: 1) Absorbs multiple times its own weight, similar with the performance of synthetic food pads, 2) It is fully compostable and 100% renewable, and 3) we offer a competitive pricing over synthetic made food pads.

Work performed

During Cellsorbâ€™s feasibility study we have defined the technical requirements to optimize the micro cellulose manufacturing process and the strategy to scale up and operate at industrial speed. We have elaborated an Execution Plan with risk analysis for the development of Cellsorb. Commercially, we have performed an analysis of our target market, based on the food pad segment, paying attention to market trends, competitors and barriers to overcome. We have elaborated a commercial strategy focus on reaching our customers (food tray manufacturers and food packagers) through our internal sales force. Moreover, we have updated our Freedom-to-Operate and evaluated our IPR strategy. Finally, on the economic side, we have built financial forecast for the next 5 years, based on the best business model and pricing strategies.

Final results

With Cellsorb, food tray manufacturers will guarantee the full safety of the food (meat, poultry, fish, fruits) packaged in their trays, since the pad will not release toxic chemicals that could comtaminate the food. Thanks to the outstanding absorption of Cellsorb, the shelf life of fresh food will be enhanced up to 50%, improving its quality and reducing substantially food waste.
Furthermore, the natural composition of Cellsorb will allow its reuse for compost or natural biodegradation and will avoid the negative impacts of plastic waste accumulation in natural systems or greenhouse gas emissions during its incineration.