UK company OSY Group announces trials of its Xtend food sustainability technology across six countries

Trials are under way across four continents for OSY Group’s flagship technology which increases the shelf-life of fresh produce and reduces food waste.

The UK company has struck deals with 21 partners in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore and India for commercial testing projects in a variety of market segments.

The trials are being conducted by grocers, food producers, packaging companies and exporters, with a focus on fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, bread and fresh flowers.

OSY Group’s technology is an antimicrobial packaging coating called Xtend.

It enables a range of food items to stay fresh for longer by leaving microscopic pins on packaging surfaces which puncture and kill microbes, slowing the natural spoiling process that affects the produce within.

It has already undergone testing in the UK with a grocer and at independent laboratories, universities and other facilities, which has proven the technology to be food safe and compliant with the Food Contact Materials regulations for fresh produce.

OSY Group is set to bring Xtend to market in the UK and internationally over the next few months.

Chief Executive Marc Braterman says: “The data from our trials in the UK - both commercial and non-commercial - has been extremely positive and well received, and we are excited to see further testing begin on an international scale.”

“Companies across various sectors are excited by the technology that we have developed, and these latest projects are a real milestone for the business.”

“It shows there is great demand for our product, which helps to tackle a global problem whereby one-third of all food goes to waste and is a huge contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions.”

“The investment we have received to date has given us the ability to undertake these trials so we can better understand the impact of our technology on different types of produce in other markets and climates, and on other forms of packaging.”

“We are confident that they will prove what we believe Xtend has the capability to achieve, having already validated the technology in the UK. The results will inform our future commercial activities, and we are proud to be flying the flag for British sustainability and innovation on a global scale.”

2024 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Sustainability is a key focus area for the sixth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards, which is now open for entries.

The awards, sponsored by CADS, 3D Cloud, Retail Technology Show 2025, and Business France, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

It’s free to enter and you can do so across multiple categories.

Key 2024 dates

Friday, 25th October: Award entry deadline 

Tuesday, 29th October: 2024 shortlist revealed

30th October-6th November: Judging days

Thursday, 21st November: Winners announced at the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, to be held at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London.