The recent EU ENOUGH Project meeting held in Leuven this week, organized by KU Leuven, was a resounding success.
From the 17th to the 19th of September, the ENOUGH Project had an interesting meeting in Leuven, organized by KU Leuven, to review the progress of the demonstrators as the project enters its final year. The event featured in-depth discussions on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sustainability within the food industry, while also inviting external participants from other projects and organizations to share insights. Topics covered included sustainable packaging, transport innovations, natural refrigerants, and minimizing food loss and waste.
The three-day meeting offered a combination of internal and external workshops with insightful presentations, interesting discussions and site visits, where practical applications of energy and greenhouse gas emission saving technologies were presented.
Day One: Internal Demonstrator Discussions
The first day of the ENOUGH partners meeting began with a warm welcome, setting the stage for a productive series of discussions focused on innovative solutions in energy efficiency and sustainability within food systems.
Demo 6 kicked off the day, presented by Marteen Hertog from KU Leuven. The focus was on climate-neutral packaging solutions for blueberries and strawberries, highlighting how packaging can reduce product losses and greenhouse gas emissions. Following this, Demo 5 by Pieter Verboven, also from KU Leuven, examined the RQ-based Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere (DCA) storage technology aimed at optimizing cool store management while maintaining fruit quality. 
After a well-deserved lunch break, the afternoon sessions started with Demo 9, where Robin Campbell from LSBU presented the potential of extending Demand Side Response (DSR) in supermarket settings, integrating Thermal Energy Storage (TES) to manage peak energy consumption effectively. Following this, Alan Foster shared insights on Demo 10, which investigated the application of Best Available Techniques (BAT) in supermarket display cabinets to enhance energy efficiency.
Denis Leducq from INRAE then led the discussion on Demo 11, which highlighted the integration of TES units directly into the display cabinets in supermarkets, aiming for energy optimization and improved grid balance.
The day concluded with a coffee break, followed by Demo 16, presented by Alan Foster, which focused on the RESHARE initiative that explores heat recovery from refrigerated storage systems. Lastly, Michael Palacz from Silesian University rounded off the discussions with Demo 12, which concentrated on freeze-drying technology for long-term food storage
At the end of the day, participants gathered for dinner to reflect on the day’s collective efforts and innovative ideas, and to look forward to further progress in sustainable practices in the food industry.
Day Two: Internal Meeting (Part Two)
Day two began with Demo 7: Fresh and Green Delivery by Francesco Fabris from CNR, focusing on a transport refrigeration unit designed to reduce energy use and emissions through natural refrigerants and battery-powered electric vehicles. Initial findings showed CO2 outperformed R134a in efficiency and carbon reduction, though challenges in design and integration remain.
Francesco then presented Demo 8: TES Last Mile Delivery, which utilizes insulated boxes with eutectic plates for passive refrigeration. This method maintained low temperatures effectively but raised safety concerns about using propane. The discussions fostered collaboration among partners.
The internal workshop was rounded off with a general discussion about all demo sites, led by Silvia Minetto (CNR). The main focus was on how the remaining project year can be used efficiently to deliver the promised deliverables and maximise the impact and reach of the project.
Day Two: External industry workshop
The ENOUGH Industry Workshop brought together various stakeholders to showcase solutions aimed at minimizing emissions in food supply chains including the sister EU projects Agro2Circular and ZeroWaste. Bart Nicolai from KU Leuven welcomed attendees, setting the stage for discussions on the ENOUGH project and its demonstrators.
Kristina Norne Widell from SINTEF provided an overview of the ENOUGH project, followed by Silvia Minetto, who highlighted the project’s demonstrators.
Pieter Verboven discussed energy savings through dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) storage, while Ann Schenk from VCBT shared measures to enhance energy efficiency in cool stores. Marteen Hertog presented sustainable packaging innovations for fresh fruit, and Fuensanta Monzó explained how biodegradable packaging can be derived from fruit and vegetable waste. 
After a coffee break, Antonio Rossetti introduced an eco-friendly cooling system for road delivery, complemented by industry insights from Veerle Vandersypt of FreshTrade.
The workshop shifted focus to food waste, featuring presentations on enhancing energy efficiency by reducing food loss in the supply chain by Shraddha Mehta and Fuensanta Monzó. Fernanda D’Acosta discussed optimizing data collection for food loss and waste reduction with the ZeroWaste initiative.
Denis Leducq showcased the ENOUGH tool for simulating supply chains, while Eline Stuyven addressed energy transition strategies in the Flemish food industry.
The event concluded with a discussion and a reception, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among participants. All in all, a very interesting and successful second day with lots of exciting insights.
Day Three: Site Visits
On the final day, participants had the opportunity to visit Vandervelpen Fruit and BelOrta, where innovative fruit storage solutions were showcased in a practical setting. 
At Vandervelpen Fruit, attendees explored a Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere (DCA) fruit storage system in operation. This advanced technology aims to optimize the storage environment, enhancing fruit quality and extending shelf life. Additionally, participants observed another demonstrator from KU Leuven experimenting with agricultural photovoltaics integrated into pear orchards, showcasing innovative approaches to sustainable farming.
Following this, the group traveled to the Fruit cooperative BelOrta, where they examined processes related to fruit sorting, packaging, and storage. The visit provided insights into efficient methods for handling fresh produce and highlighted best practices in the industry. 
Participants enjoyed the scenic journey to the apple and pear growing region in Belgium, further enriching the experience and facilitating discussions on the future of sustainable fruit production and storage.
For more informations on the organisation of the workshop click here.
