ZJ
Georgia State University
Gold colloids and amine-reactive polymers read biogenic amines off a strip.
In-development
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Updated Nov 2, 2026
Smart and active packaging covers a package that goes on doing something after it is sealed. On Halo, the solutions cover indicators and connected packaging, actives released into the pack, antimicrobials carried in the film, and microencapsulation and triggered release. Sign up to search the full network and post your specific need.
Indicators and connected packaging
ZJ
Iri Beatriz Vega Erramuspe
Pectin side streams become the carrier for a color-change indicator.
Co-developmentIn-development
AR
Université du Québec à Chicoutimi · University
Fluorescent carbon dots from citrus waste, for anti-counterfeiting print.
Sponsored researchIn-development
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Leon Codner
Liquid Beverage Company · Startup
QR and NFC in the pack turn a purchase into a channel the brand keeps.
Co-developmentIn-development
Actives released into the pack
DR
GreenPod Labs · Startup
Volatile plant extracts trigger the produce's own defenses inside the pack.
In-development
AM
Amcor · Supplier
Oxygen scavengers, moisture regulators and ethylene management in one system.
Co-developmentIn-development
GF
Landa labs · Supplier
Particle engineering that meters when a volatile compound comes out.
LicensingIn-development
Antimicrobials carried in the film
VL
Universita della Calabria · University
Olive waste polyphenols and chitosan under a polycaprolactone layer.
In-development
Mohammad Mohiuddin
Michigan State University
Natural preservatives in the pack, with a model predicting the shelf life.
In-development
Seockmo Ku
Texas A&M University, College Station
Carbon dots from spent citrus peel, put into a biodegradable pectin film.
Co-developmentIn-development
Microencapsulation and triggered release
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Olga Fontanellaz
Incaptek Sàrl · Startup
Microcapsules with programmable triggers, made to order.
LicensingIn-development
Jiten Dihora
Trucapsol LLC · Startup
pH-sensitive capsules from spray drying that swell, then release.
In-development
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Who is working on smart and active packaging
Organizations in smart and active packaging
Universities, startups, and suppliers with solutions in smart and active packaging.
Smart packaging companies
Innovators in smart and active packaging
Researchers and inventors advancing smart packaging technologies.
Smart packaging expertsAbout smart and active packaging
Two different promises sit on Halo under one name. Smart means reading the product, through colorimetric strips, color-change indicators and scannable packaging; active means dosing it, through scavengers, released volatiles and antimicrobials built into the film. Encapsulation is what the active side runs on. On Halo it spans four groups, including indicators and connected packaging, actives released into the pack, and antimicrobials carried in the film.
Stage of development. Work on smart and active packaging on Halo is split between university programs and companies. 38% of the solutions are in market. Co-development and sponsored research are the usual partnering routes, and about 51% of the solutions that state terms offer pilot engagements.
Three trends in smart packaging technologies on Halo
Smart and active are two different products. Four entries read the product and report: a colorimetric strip for biogenic amines, color-change indicators carried on regenerated polysaccharide, fluorescent carbon dots for anti-counterfeiting, and QR and NFC that turn a pack into a channel. Everything else doses the product. They share a taxonomy label and almost nothing else.
The pack as a slow-release device. The active entries are dosing problems. A sachet of sugar and yeast ferments on the moisture already present and releases ethanol and CO2, volatile plant extracts set off the produce's own defenses, a particle platform meters a volatile out over time, and pH-sensitive capsules swell before they open. Seven entries are encapsulation and nothing else.
Pectin waste keeps turning up. Three entries are built from spent pectin peel, the same feedstock that most food waste valorization work starts from: carbon dots from citrus peel put into a pectin film, regenerated polysaccharide particles carrying a color-change indicator, and apple pomace made porous and loaded with an active. One request for pectin valorization has seeded work in a second area entirely.
500organizations
505solutions listed
57%from startups and companies
38%in market
Frequently asked questions
What are smart packaging technologies?
Smart and active packaging covers a package that does something after it is sealed. It spans indicators that change color as a food ages and connected packaging a shopper can scan, actives released into the headspace such as ethanol, CO2 or a volatile plant extract, antimicrobials carried in the film itself, and the microencapsulation that decides when any of it is released.
What are examples of smart packaging technologies?
Four examples of smart packaging technologies on Halo include:
- Gold colloids and amine-reactive polymers read biogenic amines off a strip. (Georgia State University)
- Volatile plant extracts trigger the produce's own defenses inside the pack. (GreenPod Labs)
- Antimicrobial active packaging doubling the shelf life of fresh meat. (Nanox Tecnology S/A)
- Microcapsules with programmable triggers, made to order. (Incaptek Sàrl)
What are the latest smart packaging innovations?
Over the past 90 days, researchers and innovators on Halo have added these smart packaging technologies:
Which companies and suppliers are developing smart packaging technologies?
There are 500 organizations with smart packaging technologies on Halo, 131 of them universities and research institutions. Among them are Georgia State University, Auburn University, and Université du Québec à Chicoutimi. Most offer co-development or sponsored research. Sign up to see every organization working in the area and to send them your specific need.
How do I find smart packaging research partners?
Browsing smart packaging technologies on Halo is free. Sign up to search the full network and save the ones you want. Post your specific need to get exact matches. Organizations reply directly on the platform.
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