Xtend antimicrobial packaging coating is being trialled by grocers, food producers, packaging companies and exporters
OSY Group has revealed that trials are underway across four continents for its flagship Xtend technology, which is designed to increase the shelf-life of fresh produce and reduce food waste.
The company said it had struck deals with 21 partners in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore and India for commercial testing projects in a variety of market segments.
The trials are being conducted by grocers, food producers, packaging companies and exporters, with a focus on fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, bread and fresh flowers.
According to the UK-based group, its antimicrobial packaging coating enables a range of food items to stay fresh for longer by leaving microscopic pins on packaging surfaces which puncture and kill microbes, slowing the natural spoiling process that affects the produce within.
Xtend has already undergone extensive testing in the UK with a leading premium grocer and at independent laboratories, universities and other facilities, which has ”proven the technology to be food safe and compliant with the Food Contact Materials regulations for fresh produce”, OSY confirmed.
OSY Group, which has its headquarters at the Manchester International Office Centre near Manchester Airport, is looking to bring Xtend to market in the UK and internationally over the next few months.
Chief executive Marc Braterman said the eagerness of 21 commercial partners to sign up for trials demonstrated how the group was gaining traction internationally, across different regions and produce types, as well as validating the demand for its technology as a way of reducing food waste.
“The data from our trials in the UK – both commercial and non-commercial – has been extremely positive and well-received, and we are excited to see further testing begin on an international scale,” he explained.
“Companies across various sectors are excited by the technology that we have developed, and these latest projects are a real milestone for the business.
“It shows there is great demand for our product, which helps to tackle a global problem whereby one-third of all food goes to waste and is a huge contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions,” Braterman continued.
“The investment we have received to date has given us the ability to undertake these trials so we can better understand the impact of our technology on different types of produce in other markets and climates, and on other forms of packaging.
“We are confident that they will prove what we believe Xtend has the capability to achieve, having already validated the technology in the UK,” he said.
“The results will inform our future commercial activities, and we are proud to be flying the flag for British sustainability and innovation on a global scale.”
OSY Group said its overseas ambitions had recently been bolstered by a five-figure grant from Innovate UK Business Growth under its Global Explorers Programme to advance partnership opportunities and undertake research projects for Xtend.
The company previously received backing from Innovate UK through its Better Food for All programme, which supports businesses forging innovative ways to tackle nutrition challenges.
In addition, OSY Group said it had raised £1m from individual investors to support its development.
