Australia has launched a new national initiative designed to help small and medium-sized food and beverage businesses transition to sustainable packaging while reducing food loss and waste.

The Food and Beverage Small and Medium Enterprise Packaging and Machinery Solution Centre brings together industry, academia and research organizations to provide independent technical guidance for companies adopting recyclable, reusable and compostable packaging solutions.

The initiative is a collaboration between RMIT University, End Food Waste Australia, the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP), the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) and Tetra Pak.

Research-Backed Support for Packaging Transition

Led by RMIT University and End Food Waste Australia CRC, the Solution Centre aims to help Australian SMEs make evidence-based packaging and processing decisions that support both sustainability and product performance.

Rather than focusing solely on replacing conventional packaging materials, the centre will evaluate how new packaging formats affect food safety, shelf life, product quality and environmental performance.

According to the project partners, businesses transitioning away from single-use packaging can sometimes unintentionally increase food waste or compromise product integrity if packaging changes are not properly validated.

The Solution Centre is intended to reduce these risks through applied research, technical testing and expert guidance.

Supporting Circular Economy Goals

The initiative aligns with Australia’s broader circular economy and sustainable packaging objectives by helping businesses adopt packaging solutions that improve recyclability while maintaining product functionality.

Participating SMEs will receive independent advice on packaging materials, processing technologies and machinery capable of supporting recyclable, reusable and compostable packaging systems.

The centre will also assist companies in evaluating processing changes before commercial implementation, helping reduce technical uncertainty and investment risk.

Industry Collaboration Expands Technical Expertise

In addition to providing co-funded research projects, the Solution Centre will connect SMEs with technical specialists from both industry and academia.

Research activities will be supported by several Australian institutions, including:

• RMIT University
• Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
• The University of Queensland (UQ)
• South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI)

This collaborative approach is designed to strengthen knowledge transfer while accelerating the commercial adoption of sustainable packaging innovations.

Packaging Regulations Continue to Evolve

Industry partners noted that packaging regulations are changing rapidly both within Australia and internationally.

Key priorities include:

• Designing packaging that is recycle-ready
• Increasing the use of mono-material packaging
• Incorporating recycled content
• Reducing unnecessary packaging
• Improving accessibility and inclusive packaging design
• Lowering packaging carbon footprints
• Minimizing food loss throughout the supply chain

The Solution Centre aims to help SMEs understand these evolving requirements while supporting practical implementation strategies.

Independent Guidance for Business Decisions

Project leaders said the centre will serve as a trusted source of technical information, enabling businesses to evaluate packaging solutions using research rather than relying solely on supplier recommendations.

This evidence-based approach is expected to help SMEs make more informed decisions when working with retailers, packaging suppliers and processing equipment manufacturers.

By validating packaging performance under real commercial conditions, the initiative seeks to balance environmental objectives with operational efficiency, food safety and product quality.

Funding Available Through Rolling Applications

Australian food and beverage SMEs with a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) will be able to participate through a rolling Expression of Interest (EOI) process.

Successful applicants will receive co-funded research support, with participating businesses providing matched funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis for approved projects.

As packaging regulations continue to tighten globally, initiatives combining scientific research, technical validation and industry collaboration are expected to play an increasingly important role in helping manufacturers adopt sustainable packaging without compromising product performance or increasing food waste.

Last Updated on 06/07/2026 by Jota Machinery