Canadian Startup Freshr Patents Compostable, Antimicrobial Packaging to Slash Waste

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In a significant step towards reducing global food and plastic waste, Canadian biomaterials startup Freshr Sustainable Technologies Inc. has filed a international patent (WO2025184738A8) for a novel antimicrobial microgel. This technology is the engine behind their flagship product line, FreshrPack™—a compostable packaging solution designed to extend the shelf life of fresh proteins like fish, meat, and poultry.

The Core Invention: A Powerful, Natural Microgel

The patented invention is a composition and method for creating microgel particles with potent antimicrobial properties. Unlike many existing solutions that rely on migrating chemicals, this microgel forms a protective, non-migrating barrier on the packaging surface.

The key components of this antimicrobial microgel are all naturally derived:

• A Peptide with Arginine: Serves as a fundamental building block.

• An Organic Acid: A common, natural antimicrobial agent.

• A Peptide with Amine Groups: Enhances the gel's structure and antimicrobial efficacy.

When combined, these ingredients create a gel that can be used as a stand-alone antimicrobial liquid or, more importantly, as a coating on packaging films. This coating provides controlled and sustained protection against the spoilage and pathogenic organisms that cause food to degrade, all without transferring any additives to the food itself or compromising its flavor.

The Commercial Product: FreshrPack™ Bio-Active Film

This patented microgel is the cornerstone of Freshr's commercial offerings. The company integrates this technology into a suite of packaging products designed to seamlessly replace conventional plastics:

• FreshrPack™ Roll & Bag: For skin and vacuum packaging of fresh proteins. The company highlights it as the market's first compostable, high oxygen transmission rate (OTR) film compliant with FDA requirements for fresh seafood.

• FreshrPack™ Liner: Designed to be placed between fresh fish fillets during bulk transport, reducing bacterial load and extending shelf life before the product even hits the store.

The Dual Promise: Sustainability and Economics

Freshr's technology addresses two of the biggest challenges in the food industry: waste and sustainability.

1. Reducing Food Waste:
By actively inhibiting bacterial growth, FreshrPack™ can extend the shelf life of fresh seafood by 2 to 4 days, which the company states can translate to a 50% reduction in waste.

2. Reducing Plastic Waste:
FreshrPack™ Roll and Bag are 100% biodegradable in an industrial composting facility. This provides a clear end-of-life solution, reducing reliance on traditional petrochemical plastics and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with them.

A Clear Competitive Edge

The patent and product information position FreshrPack™ as a superior alternative to existing technologies:

• vs. Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP): Freshr claims its solution offers all the benefits of MAP (like reducing water loss and slowing bacterial growth) but with the added advantage of being sustainable and easy to implement.

• vs. Other Coating/Diffusion Technologies: A key differentiator is that Freshr's antimicrobial component is not considered a food additive, meaning it doesn't have to be listed on the food label and does not migrate into the product.

Freshr Sustainable Technologies' patented antimicrobial microgel represents a powerful convergence of material science and food safety. By creating a packaging solution that is simultaneously effective, compostable, and economically viable, they offer a tangible tool for retailers, exporters, and processors to increase ROI while making a substantial positive impact on the environment. As this technology moves from development to market adoption, it has the potential to significantly reshape the landscape of fresh food packaging, making "fresher for longer" a sustainable reality.

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