As the EU's 2030 deadline to phase out single-use plastic packaging approaches, Swedish food-tech company Saveggy is testing an edible, plant-based alternative to conventional plastic wrap for fresh produce. The innovation, made from rapeseed oil and gluten-free oat oil, aims to extend cucumber shelf life by up to two weeks without plastic use.
Developed in collaboration with Lund University and supply chain stakeholders, the coating is currently undergoing a one-month commercial trial across Sweden. In partnership with one of the country's major grocery chains and a produce supplier, Saveggy has distributed about 250,000 cucumbers treated with the coating.
According to the company, approximately 3,000 tonnes of plastic are used each year in the EU to package cucumbers alone. If the trial proves successful, the technology could be scaled up for broader adoption across European markets.
Saveggy has raised around €2.5 million (US$2.7 million) in venture capital and an additional €2.5 million (US$2.7 million) in EU funding through the EIC Accelerator. The European Investment Bank is also considering a €3 million (US$3.2 million) investment to support expansion.
The edible coating is designed to maintain cucumber freshness while complying with the EU's upcoming packaging regulations, offering a potential alternative for growers, packers, and retailers preparing for the single-use plastic phase-out.
Source: The European Conservative
