Unwrap the future of Food Packaging with a new postgraduate study programme by Ghent University
Three different tracks are offered in the postgraduate programme Food Packaging. Students can choose to focus on food, materials or sustainability.
An ever-increasing world population reinforces the need for good packaging that can guarantee the shelf life of food to avoid as many food losses as possible. At the same time, packaging must increasingly be as sustainable as possible. We see many European legislative initiatives coming our way that will present companies with major challenges to move to 100% recyclable packaging, for example.
In the postgraduate programme, this balance between packaging that is as functional as possible and guarantees shelf life, and packaging that is as sustainable as possible, is the main focus of study.
Track Food
Food and food packaging are inextricably linked. Food packaging largely determines the shelf life of food so this track initially focuses on the various materials and processes used to make food packaging. The link is made with shelf life of food products and how this shelf life can be determined, both microbiologically, chemically, and physiologically. Furthermore, this track focuses on different food safety issues related to food packaging, and finally, different packaging strategies that a company can adopt.
Track Materials
In addition to a comprehensive study of the different properties of packaging materials, their composition, what (filling) machines are used, the social and economic importance of food packaging and how a company can develop a packaging strategy are discussed. This includes the legislative framework within which food packaging must fit before it can be marketed.
It also zooms in on quality management of packaging materials and how to measure the different properties of packaging. The various waste treatment options available in the field of food packaging, and finally, food safety of packaging materials, are covered in detail.
Track Sustainability
Packaging has an impact on the environment. In a broad base, this track focuses on different packaging materials and sustainability. Initially, the question of what sustainability actually is is addressed, to later delve deeper into circular thinking, life-cycle thinking and systems thinking.
Finally, after an extensive section on the shelf life of food, emphasis is placed on the final step of packaging after the consumer has discarded it. Should we focus on 100% recyclability or should we instead go for more re-use?
