Birmingham project named Packaging Innovation of the Year at national awards ceremony

HeTa Coat, a biodegradable, bio-sourced coating developed by Dr Helen Onyeaka, Dr Taghi Miri and PhD student Yuting Han in the School of Chemical Engineering, has been recognised at the 2026 Awards for Excellence in Recycling and Waste Management, hosted by letsrecycle.com and sponsored by WASTEPACK.

HeTa Coat is made from yeast slurry, a low-value waste product from the brewing industry. It is designed to extend the shelf life of fresh produce while offering a fully biodegradable alternative to conventional plastic packaging.

The technology uses ultrasonication to release polysaccharides from waste yeast cells, which are then processed into thin biofilms. The team is integrating nisin into the film, a naturally occurring antimicrobial classified as Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) for food use, to further extend shelf life and reduce food waste.

The full science is explained in this HeTa Coat research spotlight.

Of the award, Dr Helen Onyeaka said: "We are delighted to receive this recognition. The award reflects years of collaborative work, and we are grateful to the colleagues, students and partners who have supported HeTa Coat from the very early stages."

Dr Taghi Miri said: "This is a real boost for the team and a strong endorsement of the impact our research can have on industry. We are excited about the next phase- scaling the technology with industry partners and continuing our work towards a truly circular packaging solution."

HeTa Coat forms part of the wider work of the Birmingham Plastics Network and the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA), which bring together researchers from across the University to tackle the global plastics and sustainability challenges through interdisciplinary science, policy and engagement.