REGREEN AgriPack innovation - replacing polyethylene/plastic film bags - ON-1048

Project type: Research
Desired discipline(s): Engineering - chemical / biological, Engineering, Agriculture, Natural Sciences, Environmental sciences
Company: REGREEN Corp.
Project Length: 4 to 6 months
Preferred start date: As soon as possible.
Language requirement: English
Location(s): ON, Canada
No. of positions: 1
Desired education level: Undergraduate/BachelorMaster'sPhDPostdoctoral fellowRecent graduate
Open to applicants registered at an institution outside of Canada: No

About the company: 

REGREEN Corp. is a startup company (regarding Canadian Government Startup Visa Program) with a manufacturing project for the production of recyclable & reusable non-woven bags. We have extensive experience in the production of recyclable non-woven bags. We started from scratch the first manufactory of reusable non-woven eco-friendly bags in Kazakhstan in 2015 and turned it into a successful business that is still operating. We also produce travel pillowcases and headrest covers for all airlines in Kazakhstan, plant/seeding bags for the agricultural sector, filter bags (odor absorbers) for industrial refrigerators and other types of packaging made of non-woven material. We are going to establish an innovative manufacturing business in Southern Ontario. Our main goal is to launch in Canada a manufacturing of an environmentally friendly bags from non-woven fabric with innovation - ZERO waste and ZERO pollution.

Describe the project.: 

REGREEN AgriPack Innovation Project focuses on 2 innovative products:
1. RootsFruits – packaging for agricultural goods;
2. GreenNest – packaging for soil with fertilizer and seeds/seedlings.

Within the framework of the RootsFruits direction:

We are planning two options for using this packaging:
1. Relying only on the properties of non-woven spunbonded material. Spunbonded material is lightweight, reusable, and biodegradable, offering a sustainable solution for farmers, distributors, and retailers. This type of packaging has significant potential in the agricultural sector due to its ability to extend shelf life, reduce spoilage, and align with the increasing demand for sustainable practices in food storage and transport.
2. And also, to enhance the positive impact on increasing the shelf life of agricultural products, we are planning to implement into the production process the addition of an antibacterial, human-safe liquid composition to the material. The purpose of the implementation will be to reduce the unreasonable use and waste of agricultural products, as well as support the principles of sustainable development (environmental friendliness, reducing the carbon footprint, the possibility of recycling).

The main goal is to create environmentally friendly, durable and breathable packaging that preserves the freshness and quality of products while reducing the impact on the environment compared to traditional plastic packaging.

Within the framework of the GreenNest direction:

To enhance crop and seedling growth, we plan to integrate liquid fertilizers and antibacterial compounds directly into the bag material.

Research required for our project:
1. Comparative analysis of the shelf life of agricultural products in different types of packaging (plastic, paper, spunbond) without the use of an antibacterial compound.
2. Comparative analysis of the shelf life of agricultural products in different types of packaging (plastic, paper, spunbond) using an antibacterial compound.
3. Recommendation from existing or creation of a new antibacterial compound that is optimal (for RootsFruits and GreenNest).
4. Finding the optimal method for applying an antibacterial compound to the material and subsequent implementation of the process in production.
5. Statistics on the average annual consumption of agricultural products, as well as statistics on wasted agricultural product. Reasons for unused agricultural product. Percentage of use of plastic packaging for agricultural products (for example, how much potato is packed in polyethylene or other film plastic).
6. Research to identify the potential positive environmental impact (reduced carbon footprint) of replacing all plastic packaging in the agricultural sector.

Required expertise/skills: 

Chemist with Engeniring Skills:

- Expertise in non-woven spun-bonded material to optimize packaging durability, breathability, and sustainability.
- To advise safe antibacterial compounds and understanding their interactions with materials and agricultural products.
- For designing methods to apply antibacterial compounds in production processes.

Environmental Scientist:
- To assess the carbon footprint and environmental benefits of transitioning from plastic to sustainable materials.
- To ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and agricultural packaging standards.

Market Research Analyst:
- To gather and analyze data on agricultural product consumption, waste, and packaging trends.