The Nottingham Nanotechnology and Nanoscience Centre (NNNC) at the University of Nottingham provides state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities could provide the food and packaging industries with innovations in what is widely seen as the technology for the future.
Nanotechnology is a method of controlling matter at near-atomic scales to produce unique or enhanced materials, products and devices. The science has the potential to revolutionise many aspects of food production in the future.
Potential applications include nanosensors for pathogen and contaminant detection, and nanodevices that allow the tracking of individual shipments.
The new centre will help the University, which has already established itself at the forefront nanotechnology research, to develop technologies and experts in an industry already worth an estimated €739m ($1bn).
"Having already identified nanotechnology and nanoscience as an area where its world-leading research and interdisciplinary approach can cross academic boundaries to forge important breakthroughs, the University of Nottingham has established the centre to co-ordinate and promote its expertise in this field," the University said
The centre will be open for university students in September 2007, with some of the intake from 2006 expected to use the facilities immediately as part of summer projects.
In 2006, a report by UK research firm Cientifica singled out active packaging as the most promising area for nanotechnology development.
These are packaging materials that interact with the products they contain to preserve or enhance quality.
The report singled out three additional areas it believes will result in commercial implementation in the next six years.
They include food safety nano-devices that will detect harmful contaminates, methods to change raw food ingredients into consumable products and additives that will be added to a final product to enhance its quality.
In a report published last month, consultants Helmut Kaiser said that the nanotechnology food packaging industry could be worth as much as €22bn ($30bn), based on current market value estimates.
The study also estimates that nanotechnology will change 25 per cent of the food packaging market, currently worth $100bn (€74bn), in next decade.
Three years ago less than 40 nanopackaging products were on the market, with over 400 available at present. According to the study, the major market trends include improving packaging to extend shelf live, to incorporate antibacterial functions, and making packaging interactive.
The new product development has driven sales from $150m (€111m) in 2002, to €635m ($860m) in 2004, with total demand at €724m ($980m) in 2006, according to the study.
Some estimates put value the global market for nanotechnology to be worth €740bn ($1tn) by 2013.
