Ecodesign of Sustainable Packaging Systems for Fortified Infant Flours in Tropical Environments

International audience

English. Aim: Development of an environmentally friendly packaging system adapted to tropical climates.The infant flour, produced in Madagascar, is currently packaged in a non-biodegradable multilayer plastic. While this ensures a one-year shelf life, the packaging is neither recyclable nor compostable. This study proposes a sustainable alternative through a dual packaging system: a biodegradable primary packaging and a reusable secondary packaging. In direct contact with the product, the primary packaging holds a single daily dose suitable for infants. The secondary packaging contains several primary units, offering additional protection and enabling transport within the supply chain.Methodology: Field analysis, laboratory simulations, and impact assessment to evaluate packaging performance and sustainability.The study addresses specific challenges of the Malagasy context, including high heat, humidity, and lack of cold chain infrastructure. Fieldwork examined production and distribution processes, identified environmental stressors affecting shelf life, and defined key parameters for ageing studies. Laboratory tests in a climatic chamber simulated tropical conditions. Several biodegradable primary packaging materials were tested, alone and with a reusable secondary packaging. Moisture uptake and oxidative degradation were monitored over time, and packaging permeability to water vapour and oxygen was measured. In parallel, a life cycle approach assessed the social and environmental impacts of the new system compared to the current one, using stakeholder surveys and field data.Results: Identifying of key degradation mechanisms and validing the dual packaging system under real conditions.The main contributors to the degradation of the infant flour were oxidative reactions and, above all, water absorption, which was identified as the factor affecting both microbiological and chemical stability. Laboratory tests showed that the nutritional and microbiological qualities remained stable at 60% relative humidity and 30°C. Based on laboratory findings, a prototype of the dual-packaging system was tested in Madagascar, demonstrating its feasibility. Preliminary environmental and socio-economic assessments indicated potential advantages of this new system over the current packaging solution.Conclusion: Sustainable packaging system combining product protection and environmental benefits.The new dual packaging approach presents a viable alternative to conventional multilayer plastics. It meets preservation requirements while addressing environmental concerns and logistical constraints in tropical environments like Madagascar.