Germany's Fraunhofer Institute has developed AI tools that could transform how industrial bakers handle plastic packaging sustainability requirements.

The EU's 2030 Challenge

New EU regulations require plastic packaging to contain at least 35% recycled content by 2030. For bakers using plastic for bread bags, pastry containers, and protective wrapping, this creates both compliance challenges and cost pressures.

How AI Solves Real Problems

The KIOptiPack project uses artificial intelligence to optimize packaging design and recycled material selection. Three key benefits for bakery operations:

Smart Design: AI analyzes your products and recommends packaging that uses less material while maintaining freshness and protection. The system factors in moisture sensitivity, fragility, and required shelf life.

Material Safety: Advanced testing identifies contaminants in recycled plastics before they reach your production line, protecting product quality and food safety standards.

Real-Time Optimization: AI integrates with manufacturing equipment to adjust processing parameters as recycled materials with different properties arrive at your facility.

Addressing Supply Shortages

By 2030, demand for recycled plastics will exceed supply by 30%. The AI system maximizes usable recycled materials through precise quality assessment and reduces overall material consumption through optimized designs.

Data-Driven Supply Chain

The project creates a shared platform connecting material suppliers, packaging manufacturers, and food producers. Bakers gain access to detailed information about material origins, properties, and performance data – essential for maintaining food safety while meeting sustainability requirements.

Next Steps

As this technology moves toward commercial availability, industrial bakers should:

• Build relationships with suppliers adopting data-driven approaches

  
  

• Prepare quality control processes for variable recycled material properties

  
  

• Leverage detailed tracking for sustainability reporting

  
  

The technology represents both a solution to regulatory compliance and a competitive advantage for operations ready to embrace intelligent, sustainable packaging.