Ethylene Scavenging Additives / Technologies

1. REQUEST # 67278
Aqueous Coatings on Corrugated Board for
Preservation of Packaged Fruits and Vegetables
RESPONSE DUE DATE: December 2, 2011
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
(click buttons above)
introductions.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND
NineSigma, representing a global packaging Corrugated boxes in the form of open
company invites proposals for aqueous package containers with vent and hand holes are a
coatings for preservation of fruit and popular form of packaging fresh fruits and
vegetables packaged in open corrugated vegetables. Corrugated containers are
containers. Permanganate based sachets are economical, recyclable and renewable
used today to scavenge volatiles such as ethylene packaging solutions. Strength and stability
within produce transport. The goal of this request during transport and cold chain storage are key
is to identify alternative solutions (such as challenges met by specialized designs.
coatings) that can be incorporated directly into the
production of corrugated boxes (preferably at the Harvested fruit and vegetables generate
corrugator). volatiles such as ethylene that promote
accelerated ripening during storage and
Characteristics of a successful coating technology transport, reducing their shelf life. Common
include the following: strategies for mitigating the generation of
 Safe for food contact volatiles include reduced temperature,
 Can be applied in aqueous form at the controlled or modified atmospheres and various
corrugator for the production of boxes gas exchange or scavenging technologies for
 Low cost removing these compounds. Many current
 Shows capacity to absorb ethylene solutions for eliminating ethylene are based on
comparable with permanganate sachets immobilizing permanganate salts on inert
 Can be shown to measurably improve shelf mineral supports into a sachet format.
life of post harvest fruit and vegetables (i.e.,
20% improvement over existing shelf life Volatile or gaseous antagonists of ethylene
which is variable depending on the species) biosynthesis, such as 1-methylcyclopopene,
 Coating needs to be compatible with current nitric or nitrous oxides, are known to extend the
recycling processes for corrugated containers shelf life of fresh produce. Volatile naturally
Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com
RFP format and graphics© Copyright 2011 NineSigma, Inc

2. NineSigma Request #67278 Aqueous Coatings on Corrugated Board for Page 2
Preservation of Packaged Fruits and Vegetables
occurring essential oils have been shown to
reduce spoilage through an antimicrobial  Other comments to include in the proposal:
mechanism. ○ Additional details / overview of the
proposed coating solution
What is needed is a delivery system that can be ○ Discuss the commercial readiness of
coupled with the production of corrugated the solution (i.e., concept only and
packaging that is safe for food contact, and does needing development, proof of concept
not require the use of plastics (i.e., NineSigma’s shown on a small scale, ready-to-
client does not want the equivalent of modified commercialize, sample available for
atmosphere packaging which requires sealing the testing/evaluation, etc.)
box with plastic or using a bag in the box - the box ○ Discussion of potential hurdles or road
will be a stand alone product made by an aqueous blocks to commercialization (especially
coating on the corrugator). The system should be with respect to food contact)
effective in increasing the post harvest shelf life of ○ Background / information on the
fruit and vegetables from the farm to the market in proposer organization
open containers.
RESPONDING TO THIS REQUEST
POSSIBLE APPROACHES
NON-CONFIDENTIAL DISCLOSURE
Possible approaches might include, but are not
By submitting a Response you represent that the
limited to: Response does not and will not be deemed to contain
 Coatings with ethylene oxidants, absorbents, any confidential information of any kind whatsoever.
and ethylene reactive catalysts
Your Response should be an executive summary (about
 Micro/nano-encapsulation technologies to
3 pages). The Response should briefly describe the
protect active agents for extended periods technical approach and provide information on
technology performance, background, and description of
APPROACHES NOT OF INTEREST the responding team and their related experience.
 Modified atmosphere packaging solutions By submitting a Response, you acknowledge that
calling for plastics to contain a specified NineSigma’s client reserves the sole and absolute right
atmosphere are out of scope and discretion to select for award all, some, or none of
the Responses received for this announcement.
 Solutions that do not contain FDA NineSigma’s client also may choose to select only
approved components specific tasks within a proposal for award. NineSigma's
 Solutions which would chemically taint the client has the sole and absolute discretion to determine
food product all award amounts.
APPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO THIS REQUEST RESPONSE EVALUATION
Responses from companies, academic NineSigma’s client will evaluate the Response using the
researchers, government labs or other research following criteria:
institutes, consultants, venture capitalists,
entrepreneurs, or inventors are welcome.  Overall scientific and technical merit of the
proposed approach
 Approach to proof of concept or performance
Appropriate responses will use the proposal  Potential for proprietary position (i.e., is the
template and address the following: technology novel or protectable)
 Economic potential of concept
 To be considered “interesting” for follow-up,  Respondent’s capabilities and related experience
 Realism of the proposed plan and cost estimates
proposers should at a minimum:
○ Outline how the solution / proposed The client will contact respondents with highly
solution would be applied on the responsive proposals for next steps.
corrugator
○ Describe efficiency in absorbing ethylene
○ Confirm that the solution / proposed
solution is safe for food contact
Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com