Industrias Químicas del Ebro S.A. is taking part in a research project for the recovery and use of agro-industrial waste, in this particular case, the ashes of rice husks. Rice husk is a waste product that is used as a fuel in the rice drying process, producing ashes of a siliceous nature that are difficult to manage and which can cause contamination due to washout into seas and rivers. The reuse of these ashes with a high siliceous content will consist of incorporating them into industrial processes such as those used to obtain inorganic additives such as zeolites and/or layered silicates which will be used to encapsulate active agents with great antioxidant and antimicrobial activity for fresh fish.
This initiative seeks to improve the quality and preservation of fresh fish, a highly perishable food which is increasingly sold in packed formats. By increasing the quality of this product via its packaging there will be fewer losses due to expiration and less food poisoning incidents caused by consuming unsafe products.
The aim of RIZEOPACK is to develop active packaging that is capable of improving the preservation conditions of packed fresh fish, reducing the growth of microorganisms and oxidative processes.
This project is funded by RETOS-COLABORACIÓN under the Spanish State programme of R+D+i addressing Challenges in Society, of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Exp. RTC-2014-3017-2) in consortium with the Technological Institute of Packaging, Transport and Logistics (ITENE), Maicerías Españolas S.A. and Blister&Pack S.L.
