104459Fresh Solutions - A fresh approach to packaging foodClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKFood waste is an issue of global significance, affecting food security and environmental sustainability. Every year over 7.3 million tonnes of food and drink waste is generated by UK households, of which approximately 60% arises from products 'not used in time' (avoidable waste), with a value approximately £480 per household, the majority of which are short shelf-life chilled products. Similar challenges are found within the Retail sector with, Tescos stating that 68% of all salad grown for bagged salads ends up being discarded - with 33% of that waste occurring before the salad reaches households. Even a 1-day shelf-life increase could reduce post-production (retail and household) waste by up to 50% for some products. **A global issue ubiquitous across all post-production food supply-chains, innovations that offer shelf-life extension to reduce food waste are viewed as the 'holy grail' within the retail sector.** Despite the scale and the immediate need to address the food waste challenge, few solutions can offer significant further extension beyond current levels primarily due to an inability to effectively control BOTH gas & moisture of the product. Through the combination of the Evap film, which allows the moisture vapour transmission rate to be tailored, limiting condensation but preventing dehydration, and a novel highly accurate and consistent laser perforation system to create optimum atmospheric conditions, Fresh Solutions is able to fully control the detrimental effect of condensation, thermal shock and the respiration rate of fresh produce which contribute to the build-up of moisture in the packs and mould/bacterial growth and in doing so offering a shelf life extension far beyond current approaches. Despite success in supermarket trials (consistent 2-10 days extension achieved), a key barrier preventing market uptake is the current cost of Evap film which is currently 2.5 times that of conventional film. In collaboration with Proseal (leading tray sealer), Four04 aim to deliver a step change in the manufacturing process to improve efficiencies, eliminating steps in the process and further develop the material itself. By reducing the final sale price of the material & extending market application, rapid penetration will be possible upon project end with potential to truly disrupt the Fresh Products and Salads packaging market for the benefit of consumers and retailers and addressing a major Global challenge. Wider potential across broader food markets (baked good, meat, fish) and medical speciality bags (colostomy, cadaver bags).