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Centre for Sustainable Packaging and Bioproducts (CSPB)

Research Centre

BioFlexis

BIOFLEXIS is a research project focused on developing sustainable fibre-based packaging solutions for fresh and perishable foods. The project supports Ireland’s transition towards a circular bioeconomy by exploring how renewable and underused biological resources can be converted into practical alternatives to conventional plastic packaging.

The project will develop compostable packaging formats with improved performance for food protection, shelf-life support, and environmental sustainability. BIOFLEXIS will also examine how these materials can be produced, tested, and scaled in ways that are safe, cost-effective, and aligned with future regulatory and market needs.

Through collaboration between TU Dublin, Teagasc, and University College Cork, BIOFLEXIS aims to generate packaging solutions that are scientifically robust, commercially relevant, and suitable for real-world food supply chains.

The project contributes to national and European priorities on plastic reduction, food waste prevention, circular economy development, and climate action.

BIOFLEXIS is a research initiative funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) under the 2025 Thematic Research Call, Standard Project funding instrument (Ref: 2025R_178).

Five-step infographic showing how renewable materials are turned into eco-friendly food packaging, tested with fresh foods, and used to reduce waste and support a circular economy.

BIOFLEXIS is built around six broad objectives:

  • Develop sustainable packaging materials from renewable, bio-based resources.
  • Improve the functional performance of fibre-based packaging for fresh and perishable food products.
  • Design packaging systems that are safe, compostable, and aligned with sustainability principles.
  • Validate packaging performance using relevant food products and real-world storage conditions.
  • Assess environmental, economic, and scale-up potential to support future industry adoption.
  • Engage with stakeholders to support knowledge transfer, policy relevance, and commercial translation.

BIOFLEXIS is developing practical and scalable innovations to support the next generation of sustainable food packaging, including:

  • Fibre-based packaging formats designed to reduce reliance on fossil-based plastics.
  • Use of renewable biological resources to create value-added packaging materials.
  • Packaging systems with improved protection for fresh produce and other perishable foods.
  • Integration of natural functionality to support food quality and shelf-life extension.
  • Sustainability-led design supported by environmental and economic assessment.
  • Pilot-scale validation to support future commercialisation and industry uptake.

Led by TU Dublin, BIOFLEXIS brings together a multidisciplinary team with expertise in:

Sustainable food packaging
Bio-based materials
Food science and shelf-life validation
Biomass valorisation
Circular bioeconomy
Environmental and economic assessment

Project Coordinator:
Dr. Swarna Jaiswal
Technological University Dublin

Core Team Members:
Dr. Amit Jaiswal (TU Dublin)

Prof. Brijesh Tiwari (Teagasc)

Prof. Joseph Kerry (UCC)

Research Team:
Postgraduate Researchers (to be appointed)