Unité Mixte Technologique ACTIA "SAFEMAT" 22.07

The renewal of UMT SAFEMAT 22.07 for a new 5-year period (2022-2026) is the result of our collective reflection undertaken since 2020 within UMT SAFEMAT 17.09. The proposed new work program, in line with the work already undertaken, takes account of a profound change in the French and European regulatory context, and prepares for the necessary changes in European regulations on materials in contact with food to support the transition from a linear economy to a circular economy, where materials are increasingly recycled, reused and reemployed. Our positioning is rooted in engineering type approaches and is at the service of industrial sectors and consumers:

- risk analysis from the molecule to the distribution, collection and recycling system;

- development of rapid, in-situ methods for characterizing and analyzing substance transfer risks (from packaging to tank);

- incorporation of the above approaches into methods for prototyping articles, shaping processes.

Various skills tailored to the objectives sought are brought together within UMT SafeMat 22.07: analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, materials science, process engineering, multi-scale modeling and digital simulation. The UMT benefits from the consolidation and dynamism of the University of Paris-Saclay's "Agro" cluster (joint site, UMR 0782 SayFood research unit Paris-Saclay Food and Bioproduct, team Modeling and Engineering through Computation). Our ability to predict and guide technological choices associated with food packaging makes UMT SafeMat a structure of choice to support public policies and industrial strategies with complete independence.

R&D priorities

For its renewal in 2022, the UMT SafeMat 22.07 aims to enable uhealth assessment and management of packaging (i) from its material state before shaping, (ii) as a disposable, reusable or reusable finished article, (iii) through to its final collection and (iv) recycling into reusable material. Throughout the cycle, the composition of the material evolves as a result of the loss of substances (migration, decontamination), the gain of substances (absorption of food constituents, cross-contamination), and the chemical aging of materials (neo-formed substances). The gradual interweaving of recycled material loops will most likely lead to developments that are unsuspected today, given our lack of knowledge of upstream and downstream practices in the sector, and the intensity of trade between recycled material countries. With this in mind, the UMT SafeMat 22.07 anticipates and prepares tomorrow's solutions to enable efficient and economically viable implementation of the developments called for by the AGEC law and the SUP directive

The general orientations of the UMT SafeMat 22.07 are broken down into three complementary R&D areas:

the alimentarity of recyclates (a focus already recognized by the UMT's academic, technical and industrial partners);
the aging of recycled, reused, reemployed, compostable materials (focus to be developed, drawing on technical expertise already present at LNE);
engineering integrating the product-packaging pair (a focus to be federated and for which the UMT already has a contribution).

Composition

Coordinators

Jean Mario Julien, Ph.D., Research Engineer(LNE)

Olivier Vitrac, Ph.D., Directeur de Recherche (INRAe)

Scientific animators

Sandra Domenek, Ph.D., Professor(AgroParisTech)

Phuong-Mai Nguyen, Ph.D., Research Engineer (LNE)

Cédric Lyathaud, Research Engineer (LNE)

Technical resources

The main tools and devices pooled within the UMT SafeMat are presented in the table below

Tools and means of calculation

Characterization

and material shaping

Analytical chemistry

Computing cluster (1200 cores)

Chemometrics (PCA, ICA, multitable methods...)

Materials Studio, Lammps

Matlab, Octave, R

Comsol Multiphysics

INRAE software libraries for migration risk assessment, safe design and eco-design of packaging

Gas permeameters

Microbalances

TGA / DSC

Internal mixer

Compression presses

Pulling machines

MFI (plastometer)

UV/VIS, Fluo, FTIR-ATR, SEM microscopy

Raman microscopy

UV/climate aging chambers

GC×GC-MS

GC-MS

HSGC-MS

GC-FID

Py-TD-GC-MS

SP-ICP-MS

HPLC-UV / RI /Fluo

ICP OES / ICP-MS

RMN ¹H

Cryogenic evaporator/concentrator

Scientific production

Scientific articles

Sévérin, I.; Dahbi, L.; Domenek, S.; Platel, A.; Vitrac , O.; Nguyen, P. M.; Chagnon, M.-C., Stratégie pour une sécurité chimique intégrée des matériaux d'emballage au contact des denrées alimentaires. Cahiers de Nutrition et de Diététique 2023, 58 (2), 134-141.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnd.2022.12.005

Biant, L.; Hayert, M.; Ayoub, H.; Nguyen, P.-M.; Vitrac, O. Chemical imaging of contaminated recycled paper and board: Towards identification of the causality of food contamination. MATEC Web Conference 2023, 379, 01006.

https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202337901006

Daoud, N.; Breysse, C.; Domenek, S.; Vitrac, O. J. M. W. C., Time of protection equivalence principle to allow design barrier layers for promoting the use of recycled materials for food contact. MATEC Web Conference 2023, 379, 06001.

https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202337906001

Datta, A.; Nicolaï, B.; Vitrac, O.; Verboven, P.; Erdogdu, F.; Marra, F.; Sarghini, F.; Koh, C. Computer-aided food engineering. Nature Food. 2022, 3, 894-904; DOI: 10.1038/s43016-022-00617-5.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-022-00617-5

Vitrac O, Nguyen P-M, Hayert M. In Silico Prediction of Food Properties: A Multiscale Perspective. Frontiers in Chemical Engineering - Biochemical Engineering. 2022;3:786879. doi: 10.3389/fceng.2021.786879.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fceng.2021.786879

Le Delliou B, Vitrac O, Castro M, Bruzaud S, Domenek S. Characterization of new bio-based and biodegradable polymer blend: Application to poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)/poly(butylene-co-succinate-co-adipate) blends. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 2022:52124, doi: 10.1002/app.52124.

https://doi.org/10.1002/app.52124

L. Stoll, S. Domenek, S.H. Flores, S.M.B. Nachtigall, A.D. Rios, Polylactide films produced with bixin and acetyl tributyl citrate: Functional properties for active packaging, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2021, 138(17):50302.

https://doi.org/10.1002/app.50302

G. Almeida, S. Domenek, P. Perré, TransPoly: A theoretical model to quantify the dynamics of water transfer through nanostructured polymer films, Polymer, 2020, 191, 122256.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2020.122256

Vitrac, O. and M. Hayert, Modeling in food across the scales: towards a universal mass transfer simulator of small molecules in food. SN Applied Sciences, 2020. 2, 1509.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-020-03272-2

M. Gerometta, J.R. Rocca-Smith, S. Domenek, T. Karbowiak, Physical and Chemical Stability of PLA in Food Packaging, Reference Module in Food Science, Elsevier. 2019.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780081005965224712

Zhu, Y., P.-M. Nguyen, and O. Vitrac, Risk Assessment of Migration From Packaging Materials Into Food, in Reference Module in Food Science. 2019, Elsevier. p.64.

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-100596-5.22501-8

Nguyen, P.-M.; Dorey, S.; Vitrac, O., The Ubiquitous Issue of Cross-Mass Transfer: Applications to Single-Use Systems. Molecules. 2019, 24 (19):3467.

https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24193467

Zhu Y, Guillemat B, Vitrac O. Rational Design of Packaging: Toward Safer and Ecodesigned Food Packaging Systems. Frontiers in Chemistry. 2019, 7.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2019.00349

Zhu Y, Welle F, Vitrac O. A blob model to parameterize polymer hole free volumes and solute diffusion. Soft-Matter. 2019;15(43):912-8932.

https://doi.org/10.1039/c9sm01556f

Mohammed Lounis, Stéphane Leconte, Christophe Rousselle, Luc P. Belzunces, Valérie Desauzier, José-Marie Lopez-Cuesta, Jean Mario Julien, Dominique Guenot, Damien Bourgeois, Fireproofing of domestic upholstered furniture: Migration of flame retardants and potential risks, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2019, 366:556-562.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.11.110

Nguyen, P.-M., J. M. Julien, C. Breysse, C. Lyathaud, J. Thébault and O. Vitrac. "Project SafeFoodPack Design: case study "indirect migration from paper and boards"." Food Additives and Contaminants: Part A, 2017, 34(10): 1703-1720.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2017.1315777

Nguyen, P.-M.; Guiga, W.; Dkhissi, A.; Vitrac, O., Off-Lattice Flory-Huggins Approximations for the Tailored Calculation of Activity Coefficients of Organic Solutes in Random and Block Copolymers. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 2017, 56 (3): 774-787

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.6b03683

Nguyen, P.-M.; Guiga, W.; Vitrac, O., Molecular thermodynamics for food science and engineering. Food Research International 2016, 88, Part A, 91-104.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2016.03.014

Fang, X. Y., & Vitrac, O. Predicting diffusion coefficients of chemicals in and through packaging materials. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 2017, 57(2): 275-312.

https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2013.849654

Salazar, R., Domenek, S., Plessis, C., & Ducruet, V. Quantitative determination of volatile organic compounds formed during Polylactide processing by MHS-SPME. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 2017, 136: 80-88.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2016.12.010

Works

Erdogdu, F.; Datta, A.; Vitrac, O.; Marra, F.; Verboven, P.; Sarghini, F.; Nicolai, B. 16 - Mathematical modeling-Computer-aided food engineering. In Food Engineering Innovations Across the Food Supply Chain, Juliano, P.; Buckow, R.; Nguyen, M. H.; Knoerzer, K.; Sellahewa, J., Eds. Academic Press: 2022; pp 277-290.

Description of the work

Le Delliou, B., O. Vitrac, and S. Domenek, Chapter 13: Bringing new function to packaging materials by agricultural byproducts, in Agricultural, Forestry and Bioindustry Biotechnology and Biodiscovery, , P.A. Chong Aguirre, D.J. Newman, and D.A. Steinmacher, Editors. Springer Nature: Switzerland, 2020, p 227-257.

Description of the work

Vitrac O, Touffet M. Food Process Modeling. In: Ferranti P, Berry E, Jock A, (editors). Encyclopedia of Food Security and Sustainability 1st Edition. Amsterdam, NL: Elsevier; 2019. p. 434-454.

Description of the work

Julien J.M, Launay P. Chapter 20: Tests performed on packaging samples. In: Dole P, (editor). Les 7 fonctions de l'emballage. Paris, France: Lavoisier, Sciences et techniques AgroAlimentaires; 2018, p. 145-148.

Description of the work

Font E., Neuveu S. Chapter 21: Tests on finished packaging. In: Dole P, (editor). The 7 functions of packaging. Paris, France: Lavoisier, Sciences et techniques AgroAlimentaires; 2018, p. 155-160.

Description of the work

Nguyen M, Vitrac O. Chapter 30. Understanding migrant diffusion at the molecular level. In: Dole P, (editor). The 7 functions of packaging. Paris, France: Lavoisier, Sciences et techniques AgroAlimentaires; 2018. p. 221-230.

Description of the work

Publications for the general public and industry players

Gloz J, Loriot C, Dole P, Julien JM, Colin C. Reusable packaging, the importance of a robust environmental assessment. Industries Alimentaires et Agricoles. 2023;Emballage et Conditionnement:13-6.

https://www.revue-iaa.fr/

Nguyen P-M, Kermorvant J, Vitrac, O. Chemical information in our packaging waste is becoming detectable, it could be used to better orient recycled material flows. Industries Alimentaires et Agricoles. 2023;Emballage et Conditionnement:21-5

https://www.revue-iaa.fr/

Hasanbelliu E, Gastaldi E, Buendia F, Yannou Le-Brios W, Domenek S. Food packaging and sustainability: The CoPack Chair's commitment to the 3R Strategy. Food and Agricultural Industries. 2023;Packaging:36-9.

https://www.revue-iaa.fr/

Urena M, Phung T-T, Domenek S, Dole P, Roudaut G, Lagorce A, Karbowiak T. Polyosides: what potential and what limits for food packaging? Industries Alimentaires et Agricoles. 202;Emballage et Conditionnement:40-3.

https://www.revue-iaa.fr/

Nguyen P-M, Domenek S, Loriot C, Julien J-M, Vitrac O. The ACTIA 17.09 SAFEMAT "Safe Materials" Joint Technology Unit is preparing the engineering of tomorrow's recyclable, reusable and reusable packaging. Food and agricultural industries. 2021;Emballage Alimentaire:23-8.

Article access

Vitrac O, Kermorvant J, Ayoub H, Daoud N, Nguyen P-M. Can packaging recycling and reuse lead to a systemic risk of food contamination? Industries Alimentaires et Agricoles. 2021;Emballage Alimentaire:18-22.

Article access

Alain Guinault, Patrice Dole, Christophe Cotillon, Jean-Mario Julien, Cyrile Sollogoub, Sébastien Roland, Anne Grandmontagne, Catherine Loriot, PEF and multi-micro-layer process, a solution for tomorrow's food packaging? Industries Alimentaires et Agricoles. 2021;Emballage Alimentaire:36-39.

Article access

Vitrac, O., Toxicité: quand le danger vient des emballages. Qu'a apporté SOLEIL... dans nos assiettes. 2019, pp 6-7.

Article access

Nguyen, P.-M.; Julien, J.-M.; Lyathaud, C.; Sauvegrain, P.; Loriot, C.; Vitrac, O. L'approche FMECA pour la gestion des risques de contamination par des substances provenant des matériaux au contact des aliments. Industries Alimentaires et Agricoles: Emballage et Conditionnement des Aliments. 2019, 45-48.

Article access

Kieffer, A.; Loriot, C.; Sauvegrain, P.; Julien, J.-M.; Nguyen, P.-M.; Vitrac, O. FITNESS, the first European platform for food packaging. Food and Agricultural Industries. 2019, 24-26.

Article access

Dole, P.; Cotillon, C.; Guinault, A.; Julien, J.-M.; Loriot, C. Mypack: a European H2020 project to promote innovative and sustainable solutions for food packaging!". Food and Agricultural Industries. 2019, 21-23.

Article access

Vitrac, O. La sécurité des emballage alimentaires en question / Food Packaging safety called into question. Pratiques en Nutrition. 2018, 14, 30-33.

https://www.em-consulte.com/article/1199255/alertePM

Vitrac, O.; Nguyen, P.-M.; Julien, J.-M.; Guiga, W. Safe packaging design is within reach. Innovations Agronomiques. 2017, 58, 45-60.

DOI : 10.15454/1.513783598443995E12

Lyathaud, C. NMR for the identification of material composition - An essential technique for NIAS analysis. Food and Agricultural Industries. 2017.

Article access