---
title: "Improving Sustainability in Food Processing using MEF"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-8da9666b-b366-4f00-aa7c-ac715a9e676c"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-8da9666b-b366-4f00-aa7c-ac715a9e676c"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-8da9666b-b366-4f00-aa7c-ac715a9e676c.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-8da9666b-b366-4f00-aa7c-ac715a9e676c.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEFRA NETWORK ETENDERING PORTAL"
published: "2019-05-01"
---

# Improving Sustainability in Food Processing using MEF

Buyer: DEFRA NETWORK ETENDERING PORTAL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-8da9666b-b366-4f00-aa7c-ac715a9e676c

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## Summary

The procurement process, initiated by the Defra Network eTendering Portal, focuses on the project titled "Improving Sustainability in Food Processing using MEF". This initiative falls under the industry category of research laboratory services and is set in Sheffield, Yorkshire and the Humber, United Kingdom. The tender period concluded on 1 January 2019, while the active contract started on 1 February 2019 and will end on 31 May 2019. The public procurement method used is an open procedure, aiming for inclusivity by allowing various bidders to participate.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses interested in sustainability and innovative food processing technologies. Companies specialising in research laboratory services, particularly those with expertise in energy-efficient processes and waste reduction strategies, would be well-suited to compete. The project aims to bridge knowledge gaps in the application of Microwave Electric Field (MEF) technology, creating a pathway for businesses to engage in the growing market focused on environmentally conscious food manufacturing solutions.

## Notice

Food manufacturers are challenged by production, cost and efficiency. They are required to respond with speed and flexibility, while achieving minimal energy consumption and waste. MEF is one of the 'greenest' ways electrical energy can be used in food processing. This arises from direct, simple energy application, volumetric heating, tremendously reduced heating times all minimising energy loss opportunities and providing an outstanding alternative to conventional heating. MEF differs significantly from the more widely researched Pulse Electric Fields (see abstract), but because no formal definition currently exists, the term is used inconsistently. Some workers reserve 'MEF' for predominantly 'non-thermal' processes using 'ohmic heating' for thermal applications, others use the terms interchangeably. This project considers 'ohmic heating' as a subset of MEF due to the difficulty of divorcing thermal from non-thermal phenomena, as noted in many 'ohmic' publications. Since 2004 there has been an exponential rise in MEF citations with approx. 315 publications currently available. A recent review describes an extensive range of applications including extraction, protein coagulation, parboiling, blanching, thawing, dough proofing, dehydration, evaporation, peeling, softening, hydro distillation, starch gelatinisation, pasteurisation and sterilisation. In addition a recent opinion paper outlines future MEF research needs, all will be addressed in the project, although allergenic potential suggestions will only be discussed. For food manufacturers, MEF offers many innovative processing solutions with associated benefits including improved sustainability, reduced environmental impact, increased competitiveness, and intensified processing, enhanced product safety/quality and also waste valorisation. However, to date MEF is largely only explored in research/academic setting, with this information not yet translating to a commercial environment. Sustainability and increasing resource efficiency is at the core of this project which focuses on the establishment of processing applications for MEF (an extremely 'green' method for superior electrical energy usage in food processing), addressing knowledge gaps currently preventing this technology from achieving its true potential in post farm gate processing of foods thereby reducing the environmental impact of food manufacture. Additional information: Please note that Defra procurement uses an E-tendering system for Procurement activities. This is currently provided by Bravo Solutions. To access appropriate tendering and contractual documents, please access the E-Tendering portal at https://defra.bravosolution.co.uk", ensuring that your registration includes "Defra". If you have any problems with this system, please contact Bravo on their telephone helpline number 0800 368 4850 or by emailing them at help@bravosolution.co.uk. "

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/db174ca9-6796-4ebe-965c-99b26063ec69 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 1 May 2019 |
| Submission deadline | 1 Jan 2019 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 22 Feb 2019 |
| Contract period | 1 Feb 2019 - 31 May 2019 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £99,999 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £99,999 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DEFRA NETWORK ETENDERING PORTAL |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1P 3JR |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | St James's |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73111000 - Research laboratory services

## Release History

- 1 May 2019 at 09:16 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/db174ca9-6796-4ebe-965c-99b26063ec69

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/db174ca9-6796-4ebe-965c-99b26063ec69
  1st May 2019 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/1dd4ba84-eb69-407c-9363-2ede603ccf7c
  n/a

## Notice URLs

- https://defra.bravosolution.co.uk

## Provenance

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