Bread bag from University of Liberec can keep bread and pastries fresh for up to nine days

Scientists at the Technical University of Liberec have developed a special bag that can keep bread and rolls fresh for up to nine days. The innovation was created in collaboration with a sheltered workshop.

The so-called "fresh bag" extends the freshness of baked goods for several days thanks to a special nanomembrane, developed by scientists through a process of trial and error.

"Typically, companies ask us to equip textiles with a vapor-permeable membrane, which is what we initially tried during the development of this pastry bag. However, after several prototypes, it became clear that the solution lay in a different direction: baked goods require a vapor-permeable layer, which we applied as a coating to the linen textile," explains Roman Knížek, head of the Department of Textile Evaluation at the Faculty of Textiles at TUL, in a press release.

Klementina Gaspárová and Roman Knížek|Photo: Technical University of Liberec

He explained that the layer used allows a small amount of steam and air to pass through, which is ideal for creating the right microclimate inside the bag. The university was approached by Invala, a company that operates sewing workshops and other ventures, with the idea of developing a special bag to keep baked goods fresher for longer.

Klementina Gáspárová, the owner of Invala, shared her inspiration: "We have sheltered workshops and sew according to our clients' specifications. My intention was to create my own product like Invala. Additionally, I love fresh bread and dislike wasting food. I have tried many different storage methods, but after a few days, the bread would become moldy, dry out, and become indigestible."

"Fresh bag"|Photo: Technical University of Liberec

"Each bread in our bag can certainly stay fresh for five days, and depending on the quality of the bread, it can last up to nine days," she added.

Mr. Knížek noted that the collaboration with Invala is a prime example of the flexibility that cooperation with small or medium-sized enterprises can provide. He emphasized how mutually beneficial the partnership between universities and these businesses can be.

The special bag is anticipated to be available for sale starting in early December, and discussions are currently underway regarding sales to a network of bakery producers and retailers.