By Andrea Begnini
The Sardinian biotech startup transforms licorice waste into an innovative solution to combat food waste by extending food shelf-life through an antimicrobial bioadditive. With a significant impact on sustainability and a patented technology, Alkelux is at the forefront of active packaging, offering materials that are biodegradable, metal-free and easy to integrate into existing production processes. Its mission? To promote a circular economy and a greener future through eco-friendly solutions.
From food waste a resource
Founded in Sassari, Italy, in 2024, Alkelux is a biotech startup created by Matteo Poddighe and Davide Sanna, two young technicians with complementary skills. While Poddighe, Ph.D. in Chemical Science and Technology, developed the patent, Sanna brought his experience to ensure the technology’s industrial applicability. They were joined by Carlo Usai and Emina Bilanovic , expanding the commercial component and quickly turning Alkelux into a virtuous example of multidisciplinary innovation.
Food waste is at the heart of Alkelux’s mission. In Italy, it increased in 2024 by registering a growth of 45.6 percent: 683.3 grams of food per capita end up in the garbage can each week, in contrast to the 469.4 grams detected in August 2023. Among the most wasted foods are fresh fruits (27.1 g), vegetables (24.6 g), fresh bread (24.1 g), salads (22.3 g), and onions/garlic/tubers (20 g). Not to mention that wasting food also means wasting water, farmland and precious resources. Alkelux responds to this emergency with an innovative approach, offering a solution that not only reduces waste but promotes sustainable practices throughout the food supply chain.
Shelf-Life and licorice waste for sustainable packaging
Licorice, a typical product of some Italian regions, is the focus of Alkelux’s technology. Every year, the licorice industry produces tons of waste that, thanks to a patented process, is transformed into an antimicrobial bioadditive. This additive, in powder form, is incorporated into food packaging materials to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.
Tests conducted on strawberries and blueberries have shown that the Alkelux additive can extend the freshness of produce up to seven days longer than conventional packaging. This result not only reduces perishable food waste but also helps to decrease greenhouse gas emissions associated with the decomposition and transportation of waste. In addition, the use of licorice waste represents a concrete step toward a circular economy model, where waste becomes a resource.
For active packaging: the additive powder from Alkelux
Free of toxic metals such as zinc and titanium, which are often used in similar products, the additive is composed exclusively of natural elements such as hydrogen, carbon, oxygen and nitrogen. This makes it safe for human health and completely biodegradable, with no negative impact on the environment.
Another key element is its versatility. Being completely soluble in water, the additive can be used without modifying existing production facilities. This feature reduces barriers to adoption of the technology, making it accessible even to small and medium-sized companies in the food sector. Alkelux thus brings to market an environmentally friendly and cost-effective choice for companies seeking to innovate in the field of active packaging.
Active packaging represents a revolution in food preservation, combining innovative materials with antimicrobial technologies to prolong the freshness of products. These solutions, like the one proposed by Alkelux, integrate natural additives into packaging materials, protecting food from bacteria, viruses and mold. In addition to reducing food waste, active packaging promotes sustainability and efficiency, offering an environmentally friendly and safe alternative for the food industry.
In fact, thanks to its antimicrobial activity, Alkelux is able to protect food from bacteria, viruses and mold, helping to maintain the organoleptic qualities of products. This characteristic makes it particularly suitable for the packaging of fresh fruits and vegetables, a sector in which shelf life is crucial.
Biopolymer, the new frontier of packaging
At the heart of Alkelux’s innovation is an advanced biopolymer that combines sustainability and efficiency. This material, which is biodegradable and free of allergenic metals, is designed to meet the needs of a market increasingly oriented toward environmentally friendly solutions. The biopolymer does more than just offer antimicrobial protection. Due to its optical properties, such as fluorescence and photoactive reactivity, it enhances the effectiveness of packaging under conditions of light exposure. This aspect makes it ideal for applications in a variety of contexts, from transporting fresh foods to displaying them in stores.
With a European certification process already underway, Alkelux aims to bring its product to market by 2026, with prospects for expansion even in South America, where demand for preservation solutions is growing rapidly. The Sardinian startup is exploring partnerships with leading food and fruit and vegetable companies, opening new avenues for the future of sustainable packaging.
