SustainPack+
The Sustain-Pack+ is a research initiative funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) under the DAERA programme (Ref: 2023RP1012).
Sustain-Pack+ is a multidisciplinary research project conducted in collaboration with the Teagasc Agricultural Research Centre, Ashtown, and Ulster University, Northern Ireland.
Sustain-Pack+ focuses on the valorisation of agricultural cereal waste by converting it into sustainable food packaging materials. Specifically, this work aims to extract and produce value-added biopolymers such as nanocellulose, lignin, and cellulase enzymes from wheat and oat straw through green and sustainable extraction methods. These biobased components hold significant potential in the development of biodegradable, eco-friendly packaging solutions, thereby contributing to a circular bioeconomy and reducing dependence on fossil-based plastics.
Sustain-Pack+ aligns with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), as well as the European Commission’s Circular Economy Action Plan and the EU Green Deal.
- Develop an eco-friendly method to extract lignin and nanocellulose.
- Evaluate their potential in nanocomposite reinforcement.
- Produce cellulolytic enzymes via solid-state fermentation and bioreactors.
- Create and test lignin-nanocellulose composites for food packaging
- Build a prototype system for producing packaging films
- Perform cost and sustainability assessments of the technology.
- Green Extraction Technologies for nanocellulose fibres and Lignin
We use advanced green extraction methods such as ionic liquids, plasma treatment, subcritical water, microwave-assisted ionic liquid techniques, and enzymatic hydrolysis to extract valuable biopolymers from cereal straw without using harmful chemicals.
- Enzyme Production
We use solid-state fermentation and stirred-tank bioreactors for the production of cellulase enzymes.
- Sustainable Packaging Materials
We develop biodegradable packaging materials with enhanced strength, low cost, and minimal environmental impact.
- Impact & Applications
- Food Packaging: Biodegradable alternative to fossil-based plastics
- Circular Economy: Valorisation of underutilized Agricultural wastes.
- Policy & Research: Data-driven insights for sustainable innovation and regulation.
Coordinated by Technological University Dublin-City Campus, Dublin
Partner RPOs: Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Ulster University, Northern Ireland.
Team includes experts in:
- Industrial Biotechnology
- Polymer Technology
- Materials Science
- Food Technology
- Environmental Science
Contact:
Coordinator
Dr. Amit Jaiswal (TU Dublin); email Id: amit.jaiswal@tudublin.ie
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Swarna Jaiswal (TU Dublin); email Id: swarna.jaiswal@tudublinie
Prof. Brijesh Tiwari (Teagasc)
Dr. Shivani Padhania (Teagasc)
Dr. Poonam Singh (Ulster University)
Professor Ibrahim Banat (Ulster University).
PhD Researcher:
Anirudh Madavankandy
RTE Brainstorm:
How straw could be used to create eco-friendly food packaging
Friday, 14 Nov 2025 15:55
Bioeconomy Ireland Week 2025
