Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com RFP format and graphics© Copyright 2011 NineSigma, Inc

REQUEST # 67278

Aqueous Coatings on Corrugated Board for Preservation of Packaged Fruits and Vegetables

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION

NineSigma, representing a global packaging company invites proposals for aqueous package coatings for preservation of fruit and vegetables packaged in open corrugated containers. Permanganate based sachets are used today to scavenge volatiles such as ethylene within produce transport. The goal of this request is to identify alternative solutions (such as coatings) that can be incorporated directly into the production of corrugated boxes (preferably at the corrugator). Characteristics of a successful coating technology include the following:

Safe for food contact

Can be applied in aqueous form at the corrugator for the production of boxes

Low cost

Shows capacity to absorb ethylene comparable with permanganate sachets

Can be shown to measurably improve shelf life of post harvest fruit and vegetables (i.e., 20% improvement over existing shelf life which is variable depending on the species)

Coating needs to be compatible with current recycling processes for corrugated containers

BACKGROUND

Corrugated boxes in the form of open containers with vent and hand holes are a popular form of packaging fresh fruits and vegetables. Corrugated containers are economical, recyclable and renewable packaging solutions. Strength and stability during transport and cold chain storage are key challenges met by specialized designs. Harvested fruit and vegetables generate volatiles such as ethylene that promote accelerated ripening during storage and transport, reducing their shelf life. Common strategies for mitigating the generation of volatiles include reduced temperature, controlled or modified atmospheres and various gas exchange or scavenging technologies for removing these compounds. Many current solutions for eliminating ethylene are based on immobilizing permanganate salts on inert mineral supports into a sachet format. Volatile or gaseous antagonists of ethylene biosynthesis, such as 1-methylcyclopopene, nitric or nitrous oxides, are known to extend the shelf life of fresh produce. Volatile naturally

RESPONSE DUE DATE: December 2, 2011

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SOLUTION PROVIDER HELP DESK

EMAIL: PhD@ninesigma.com PHONE: +1-216-283-3901

Opportunity

The goal of this request is to identify key opportunities this year, and identify key partners to work with in early 2012. Funding and timing of partnership to be scoped during initial introductions.

NineSigma Request #67278 Aqueous Coatings on Corrugated Board for Page 2 Preservation of Packaged Fruits and Vegetables

Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com

occurring essential oils have been shown to reduce spoilage through an antimicrobial mechanism. What is needed is a delivery system that can be coupled with the production of corrugated packaging that is safe for food contact, and does not require the use of plastics (i.e., NineSigma’s client does not want the equivalent of modified atmosphere packaging which requires sealing the box with plastic or using a bag in the box - the box will be a stand alone product made by an aqueous coating on the corrugator). The system should be effective in increasing the post harvest shelf life of fruit and vegetables from the farm to the market in open containers. POSSIBLE APPROACHES

Possible approaches might include, but are not limited to:

Coatings with ethylene oxidants, absorbents, and ethylene reactive catalysts

Micro/nano-encapsulation technologies to protect active agents for extended periods

APPROACHES NOT OF INTEREST

Modified atmosphere packaging solutions calling for plastics to contain a specified atmosphere are out of scope

Solutions that do not contain FDA approved components

Solutions which would chemically taint the food product

APPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO THIS REQUEST

Responses from companies, academic researchers, government labs or other research institutes, consultants, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, or inventors are welcome. Appropriate responses will use the proposal template and address the following:

To be considered “interesting” for follow-up, proposers should at a minimum: ○ Outline how the solution / proposed

solution would be applied on the corrugator

○ Describe efficiency in absorbing ethylene ○ Confirm that the solution / proposed

solution is safe for food contact

Other comments to include in the proposal: ○ Additional details / overview of the

proposed coating solution ○ Discuss the commercial readiness of

the solution (i.e., concept only and needing development, proof of concept shown on a small scale, ready-to-commercialize, sample available for testing/evaluation, etc.)

○ Discussion of potential hurdles or road blocks to commercialization (especially with respect to food contact)

○ Background / information on the proposer organization

RESPONDING TO THIS REQUEST

NON-CONFIDENTIAL DISCLOSURE

By submitting a Response you represent that the Response does not and will not be deemed to contain any confidential information of any kind whatsoever. Your Response should be an executive summary (about 3 pages). The Response should briefly describe the technical approach and provide information on technology performance, background, and description of the responding team and their related experience. By submitting a Response, you acknowledge that NineSigma’s client reserves the sole and absolute right and discretion to select for award all, some, or none of the Responses received for this announcement. NineSigma’s client also may choose to select only specific tasks within a proposal for award. NineSigma's client has the sole and absolute discretion to determine all award amounts.

RESPONSE EVALUATION

NineSigma’s client will evaluate the Response using the

following criteria:

Overall scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach

Approach to proof of concept or performance

Potential for proprietary position (i.e., is the technology novel or protectable)

Economic potential of concept

Respondent’s capabilities and related experience

Realism of the proposed plan and cost estimates

The client will contact respondents with highly responsive proposals for next steps.