A support-design procedure for sustainable food product-packaging systems

This chapter discusses the drivers and characteristics of the product-package system in food supply chains and focuses on the role that the logistic performance of the package plays in the sustainability of the supply chain operations. The product-package system is first introduced through the definition of a hierarchical structure built upon the product. Then, a set of design parameters are introduced, each of them addressing a specific product-package function/performance according to a multidisciplinary approach. An in-depth discussion is provided about the logistic performance of food packaging, and some support-design quantitative models and KPIs are introduced to the scope. Lastly, built upon the aforementioned entities and parameters, a hierarchical closed-loop support-design procedure for economic and environmental sustainable food product-packaging systems is formalized, illustrated, and discussed.