Sufresca

Scenario

Global food production generates significant waste, with more than one-third of all food produced ending up in landfills, according to the 2019 FAO. This waste represents an economic loss and has serious environmental implications.

Plastic packaging, widely used in the food industry, contributes significantly to this issue, with millions of tons of plastic waste ending up in landfills or the environment each year, as reported by WRAP in 2018. These wastes degrade into microplastics, contaminating marine ecosystems and infiltrating the food chain, as highlighted by studies conducted by Eriksen et al. (2014) and Sebille et al. (2015).

Innovative solutions, such as edible and natural coatings developed by companies like Sufresca, offer apromising alternative. These technologies use natural materials and can be composted after use, reducing the environmental impact of traditional plastic packaging.

Description

Sufresca is an innovative company specializing in the production of natural, edible food coatings with the goal of offering a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic. Its mission is to address the problem of food waste and the environmental impact of plastic packaging in the food industry. It focuses primarily on replacing plastic packaging used in the food industry, as about 70 percent of the plastic used in this industry ends up in the seas and oceans. Its biodegradable liners are made exclusively from natural ingredients and are water soluble, offering a convenient alternative for packaging foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Because of their biodegradability, the liners can be disposed of with organic waste instead of traditional plastic.

In addition, Sufresca has developed a patented method to make its coatings water-resistant, allowing them to be used to hold liquids and semi-liquids. The seaweed used to produce the coatings is grown in a way that is both ecologically and socially sustainable, providing fair compensation to farmers and helping to improve their livelihoods. Sufresca is committed to several key goals, including increasing the income of raw material supplier farmers , preserving and expanding clean coastal areas, and reducing plastic waste andCO2 emissions produced in Indonesia. Its work has been recognized with several awards, including the Social Venture Challenge Asia and the Circular Design Challenge, highlighting its commitment to innovation and sustainability.