Biodegradable Active Packaging from Agricultural By-products: Extending Shelf Life and Reducing Food Waste

According to Our World In Data, packaging accounts for of 40% of plastic waste on Earth. Acknowledging this issue, Tops, the food retail business under Central Retail, in collaboration with GRACZ Public Company Limited and the Institute of Agricultural Product and Processing Innovation at Kasetsart University, has co-developed an innovative biodegradable active packaging solution. This packaging integrates active food preservation agents—known as Active Packaging—with biodegradable materials derived from agricultural by-products, offering a balanced combination of functionality and environmental sustainability.

The primary goal of this innovation is to extend the shelf life of food safely, thereby reducing losses along the supply chain and addressing the needs of modern consumers who prioritize health, safety, and environmental consciousness. This development aligns with the global trend toward health-conscious food products and sustainable agriculture, which continues to grow steadily in international markets.

By combining the benefits of both active and biodegradable packaging, this initiative creates a high-value opportunity for agricultural products, health foods, and export goods. Specifically, this packaging helps prolong the freshness and quality of vegetables and fruits while maintaining their aroma, flavor, and texture. It meets international safety standards and provides an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastic packaging, thus reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable development.

Sustainable packaging innovations often fail to scale beyond R&D and lab testing, which is why our project takes a comprehensive supply chain approach, from sourcing raw materials and formulating industrial-scale production methods to field packaging and real-world market testing at Tops stores. According to a 5-year ex-ante economic evaluation (2027–2031), the project demonstrates strong potential with a Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of 1.55, a Net Present Value (NPV) of over 3.5 million baht, and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 14%, well above the 5% discount rate. These figures indicate the project's potential to generate significant economic, social, and environmental impact.

Currently, the project is in the market testing phase and is being expanded to cover more vegetable and fruit products. The long-term goal is to integrate sustainable circular materials into the production chain and contribute concretely to Central Retail’s environmental sustainability objectives.