PhD candidate
E-mail: federica.deagostini@maastrichtuniversity.nl / federicadeagostini@unimi.it
ORCID: 0000-0002-9648-7532
Food packaging is essential for preserving quality and extending shelf life, but new EU directives are increasing pressure on the industry to adopt sustainable materials. In the coffee sector, where strict packaging standards apply, companies are urged to shift to recyclable plastics. This transition is complex, as these materials must undergo rigorous testing to ensure they offer the same protection and shelf-life as traditional packaging. Additionally, recyclable options often remain untested under real conditions, and their ability to shield coffee from moisture and oxygen over time requires careful validation. Further, the potential interactions and changes between food and packaging materials during storage are rarely considered, which could affect protection levels.
In a context where preserving food quality, understanding packaging interactions with the food matrix, and assessing their influence on shelf life are critical, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) becomes essential for evaluating the sustainability of recyclable, plastic-based packaging materials. Hence, in the final phase of my PhD project, I joined the sustainability group to connect the environmental impact of coffee packaging materials with their barrier performance. My PhD project goal is to provide insights that guide the selection of packaging options that are both highly effective and environmentally sustainable.
Expertise
- Food packaging
- Food shelf-life
- Plastic packaging
- Coffee Quality
Previous Education
- MSc. in Food Technology, specialised in food packaging, DeFens Department, University of Milan (2019 – 2021)
- BSc. in Food Technology, DeFens Department, University of Milan (2016 – 2019)