Leguval. Films from legumes

Well on the way the European project Leguval, started in late 2013 and lasting three years, aims to create a new film based protein for use as a plastic coating in the production of biodegradable packaging.

The R&D work exploits the by-products generated in processing legumes and aims to improve the barrier properties of the films for food packaging; furthermore, the biomass will be used to generate biogas. Leguval is coordinated by the Spanish research center IRIS and also involves Assocomaplast (the Italian plastic and rubber machine and equipment manufacturer’s association), the National Research Council in Pisa, the Department of Science and Materials Technology at the University of Pisa, the Parma Experimental Food Preserve Industry (SSICA) (more info at http://leguval.eu)