The smart packaging revolution is here thanks to IntelActivAl
Sometimes, innovation isn’t visible to the naked eye, but it is felt in the safety of what we eat and in the care for our planet. Today we want to share with you the conclusion of an exciting journey: the IntelActivAI project.
Over the last few months, at Luce Innovative Technologies (Luce IT) we have had the honor of leading and coordinating an initiative that has marked a turning point in the food industry. IntelActivAI has not just been a research project; it has been a major challenge to transform conventional packaging into active and intelligent systems capable of “speaking” and protecting food like never before.
What has been achieved with IntelActivAI?
The main objective of this project, which now concludes after reaching a technology readiness level (TRL 6), was clear but ambitious: to develop a new generation of sustainable packaging that would increase food safety and reduce waste. And we have achieved it.
The comprehensive solution we have validated combines the best of biotechnology, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence:
- Packaging that protects actively: Coatings with barrier and antimicrobial properties have been developed that allow the use of recyclable (monolayer) materials, replacing hard-to-recycle plastics.
- Labels that “speak”: We have integrated SmartLabels or biosensors that change color or emit signals upon detecting changes in the food’s state, informing of its real freshness and not just an estimated date.
- Data-driven decisions: This is where at Luce IT we have poured our heart and our expertise.
Luce IT’s role in IntelActivAI
If sensors are the “eyes” of the packaging, at Luce IT we have taken charge of building the “brain.” From Valladolid, our team has led the implementation of the Artificial Intelligence and Big Data necessary to interpret all the information generated by these new packages.
Our work has consisted of collecting, processing, and analyzing data from the biosensors in real time. Thanks to the algorithms we have developed, the industry can now predict what is going to happen with the food, optimize the production chain, and make quick decisions to prevent food in perfect condition from ending up in the trash. We feel very proud to have provided the intelligence layer that makes the entire system work in an orchestrated and efficient manner.
A shared success: The strength of the consortium
This project would not have been possible without the collaboration and talent of our partners. It has been a privilege to walk alongside leading companies that are benchmarks in their fields:
- Darwin Bioprospecting Excellence: Key in bioprospecting and development of bioactive coatings.
- Oscillum: The creators of the smart labels capable of monitoring the state of the food.
- Encapsulae: Experts in the nanoencapsulation of functional additives for packaging.
Furthermore, scientific rigor has been guaranteed thanks to the collaboration of top-tier research centers such as the CSIC (Institute of Ceramics and Glass), the University of Valencia (UV) and the University of Salamanca (USAL). Together we have demonstrated that public-private collaboration is the most powerful engine for innovation.
Support and funding
This project moves forward thanks to the backing of the Center for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI), having been selected in the MISIONES Science and Innovation 2024 program. Additionally, it has a grant funded by the European Union’s NextGenerationEU funds. This support has allowed us to drive innovation from Castilla y León, generating a positive economic and environmental impact throughout the entire development of the project.
At Luce IT, we have extensive experience transforming data into intelligent decisions. If you found this project interesting, you should know that we apply this same analytical and management capacity in our own products. Our Data Platform allows ingesting and governing information from multiple sources, just as we have done with the IntelActivAI sensors, and through LIA, our Artificial Intelligence, we help organizations optimize their processes based on real information. If you want to know how we can bring this intelligence to your business, contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions about IntelActivAI
What is the IntelActivAI project?
It is a technological innovation project led by Luce IT that has developed a new generation of active and intelligent food packaging. Its goal is to improve food safety, increase packaging recyclability, and reduce food waste through the use of biosensors, advanced coatings, and Artificial Intelligence.
How do the developed active and intelligent packages work?
These packages incorporate two key technologies: coatings (coatings) that protect the food and improve its preservation, and smart labels (SmartLabels) that act as sensors. These labels detect biological changes in the food in real time and, thanks to AI, communicate its exact freshness status, allowing for quick decisions in the supply chain.
Which companies and organizations have participated in the IntelActivAI consortium?
The project has been coordinated by Luce Innovative Technologies (Luce IT). The consortium of partners is completed by Darwin Bioprospecting Excellence, Oscillum, and Encapsulae. In addition, it has had the collaboration of research centers such as the CSIC, the University of Salamanca (USAL), and the University of Valencia (UV).
How does IntelActivAI help reduce food waste?
By monitoring the real state of the food instead of depending only on an estimated expiration date, discarding products that are still suitable for consumption is avoided. Artificial Intelligence analyzes the data to optimize logistics and distribution, ensuring that food reaches the consumer at the optimal moment, reducing industry losses by up to 25%.
Who funded the IntelActivAI project?
The project has been funded by the Center for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI) through the MISIONES Science and Innovation 2024 program, and has the support of European NextGenerationEU funds within the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.
