Copperprotek
Using Copper to Extend Shelf-Life of Animal-Based Products

Copper is often considered the world’s oldest biotechnology. Its use as a healing agent stretches back to ancient civilizations, like the Egyptians and the Chinese, who used copper for its antibacterial properties. Today, scientific studies further validate its biocidal properties, and it has found applications across various industries, particularly in infection control.

Copperprotek, a leading Chilean biotech company, is now leveraging the intrinsic property of copper to revolutionize the food packaging industry. The company has developed a patented copper microparticle with high ionic bioavailability. When copper ions are released from the microparticle, it acts as a deterrent to bacteria and other microorganisms that decompose food. The product is 100 percent natural and has been recognized as safe by a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) expert panel.

In terms of application, the microparticles are incorporated into polyethylene resin or masterbatch—a raw material used in packaging production. Copperprotek collaborates with packaging producers to provide them with customized infused masterbatch that forms the packaging’s inner layer.

This approach makes the integration of the technology seamless with existing packaging material production processes, not requiring additional investments from the packaging companies.

The primary focus is to serve the packaging companies in the meat industry—one of the most complex and demanding sectors. “Our innovation plays a dual role here; enhancing the quality of meat products by reducing bacteria responsible for food spoilage and simplifying logistics for businesses by extending the shelf-life of packaged products,” says Raúl Molina, co-founder and commercial manager of Copperprotek.

To elaborate, bacteria that cause food decomposition also alter the pH, affecting the quality of proteins, such as chicken, beef, pork cheese, and processed meats. The early onset of bad smells, often indicative of an expired product, leads to substantial food wastage. Using Copperproteks technology, these undesirable changes can be delayed, ensuring the product reaches the consumer in a better state, with improved smell and texture.

The extra shelf life is a game-changer for complex supply chains like Latin America. While it is easy to guarantee reliable cold chain processes, delivery, and logistics in larger countries and cities with a more structured retail environment the scenario is contrary in smaller regions, where a significant portion of sales is handled entirely by small retailers or momand- pops. These producers might not have access to reliable cold chain processes or efficient logistics, making quality control more challenging. This is where Copperprotek makes a world of difference. Its ability to extend the shelf-life of meat products and processed meats, effectively enhancing the time window for companies to sell their product. This enables an exponential simplification of logistics, a boon for smaller companies exporting meat over long distances.

Rigorous tests are conducted on various meats to support the technology’s effectiveness.The magic lies in the five different types of copper Copperprotek uses to create the microparticle. It can react with a wide spectrum of pH levels and temperatures. When temperature and humidity spike, there’s a corresponding spike in the release of copper ions, which have a bacteriostatic effect, inhibiting bacterial growth. Copperprotek’s ultimate goal is to make food consumption more sustainable by reducing food waste. In this effort, Copperprotek was recognized with the gold medal in the special category of Packaging That Saves Food at the 2023 WorldStar Awards, the global packaging competition organized by the World Packaging Organization (WPO). Copperprotek aims to bring pioneering change to the food packaging industry. Today, food companies can eagerly adopt this technology to embrace a more sustainable approach and meet the growing demand for environmentally