Self-biodegradable packaging materials development and use in food and other manufacturing industries

The self-biodegradation process differs fundamentally from the general biodegradation process, accordingly, the life cycle assessment methods are also distinct. As such materials are only beginning to emerge in the global market, there is currently a complete lack of technical standards and legal criteria defining how long such packaging remains safely usable in the food and other industries. The result of the project will serve as an artificial intelligence (AI) compatible decision-support tool for packaging designers and manufacturers, enabling integration into AI solutions for the automated assessment of the shelf life of self-biodegradable packaging materials. This will promote sustainability, regulatory compliance, and innovation within the packaging sector. The research proposal is interdisciplinary, encompassing not only legal studies but also the identification of practical problem aspects related to determining and defining factors that influence the life cycle of packaging materials, ensuring compliance with sustainable economy and circularity principles, and assessing the impact on supply chain costs. It will evaluate the introduction and practical application of unique and innovative packaging material technologies in the market, including consideration of industry-specific standards and regulatory constraints. Thus, the research will make a significant contribution to achieving the goals of Latvia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy and advancing the following RIS3 priority areas:

1. Knowledge-intensive bioeconomy;
2. Smart materials, technologies, and engineering systems.

Results

Within the framework of the research, the following activities will be carried out:

• a study of the regulatory framework governing self-biodegradable packaging materials will be conducted, proposals for the improvement of legal acts will be developed, and a roadmap (algorithm) will be created, including an AI-compatible decision-support tool for packaging designers and manufacturers. This tool will enable integration into AI solutions for the automated assessment of the shelf life of self-biodegradable packaging materials. In addition, at least two scientific publications will be prepared and published in journals indexed in Web of Science or Scopus, including at least one highly cited publication;
• to promote the development of self-biodegradable packaging materials, at least one research and/or innovation project proposal will be prepared and submitted to a national or international funding competition;
• at least three mobility and networking activities will be carried out with Europe’s leading manufacturers of industrial equipment in the food sector;
• enhancement of the postdoctoral researcher’s competence and career development within the research institution will be ensured.

Project updates by 30 April 2026

During the first six months of project implementation, the work has been successfully initiated in line with the planned schedule, with a primary focus on establishing the fundamental research base and building a collaboration network.The main emphasis during this period was on the analysis of the regulatory framework and the development of a conceptual approach. An in-depth review of academic literature and legal sources at both EU and international levels was conducted, identifying key regulatory insufficiencies concerning self-biodegradable packaging materials and the determination of their life cycle, particularly shelf life.In parallel, a structured research database was developed, integrating scientific and normative sources.

Within the project, stakeholder mapping and initial engagement activities were also initiated, identifying key industry actors (manufacturers, technology providers, and public authorities) who will be involved in subsequent interviews and validation activities.

Significant progress has been achieved in the development of international cooperation, including the implementation of a mobility visit with industry partners in Germany, which provided practical insights into industrial requirements and innovation implementation processes. This cooperation serves as a foundation for the development of future joint projects.

At the same time, the conceptual framework of the research was further refined, clearly distinguishing between conventional biodegradation and self-biodegradation, and strengthening the project’s core innovation -an algorithmic approach to determining the shelf life of packaging materials.

A research report has been developed, covering the following topics:

1. Self-biodegradable cannot be equated with biodegradable - regulatory insufficiency in EU product packaging law
2. Artificial intelligence as a regulatory gap-filling mechanism: from standards-based governance to algorithmic compliance

In addition to research activities, scientific capacity building has also taken place, including participation in professional activities and further development of competencies.

Overall, during the first six months, the project is progressing according to plan, with a solid theoretical and methodological foundation established.