Background Methyl bromide (MB) is a disinfectant that is not extensively used in the industrial rice sector in the EU. Nonetheless, MB was to be eliminated by 2005 and replaced with more acceptable alternatives. To protect rice from insects, the sector had to find non-chemical methods that are more acceptable to consumers and the environment. The results of this project can be applied in other processing plants in the EU and other parts of the world where MB is used. Due to the close proximity of the project's processing plant to the Ebre Delta Nature Reserve, home to a rich assortment of wildlife, the use of MB as a pesticide was not advisable. Elimination of MB is helping to reduce the plant's environmental impact. Objectives This demonstration project aimed to promote the conservation and improvement of the environment and ecosystem of the areas of Montsiá and Baix Ebre in Ebre Delta and of the Nature Reserve. This was to be achieved by replacing current industrial techniques used to protect processed rice from insects by the introduction of non-polluting technologies. The project was innovative due to replacing, thanks to a vacuum-packaging process, methyl bromide in the treatment of rice. This resulted in lower production costs for farmers and introduced environmentally friendly techniques. Results Project goals have generally been reached. A new vacuum-packaging technology was designed, constructed, implemented and finally adapted by the beneficiary Càmara Arrossera d’Amposta. This new system had never before been used for rice production and avoids the use of methyl bromide. It is a significant environmental improvement. This LIFE project has demonstrated that the new vacuum packaging unit is technically and economically viable and reduces the environmental impact of the packaging process. The new system has sufficient capacity to deal with all processed rice available for commercial use by the beneficiary, i.e. production of 10,000-12,000 MT/year. This would avoid the use of between 1,400 and 1,500 kg of methyl bromide per year or, over a period of ten years, some 14,000- 15,000 kg of methyl bromide. A general objective of this project was the definitive substitution of fumigation treatment using methyl bromide by the new packaging system. This has not been achieved as rice packaging continues under the old system mainly due to commercial factors relating to product acceptance and competitiveness. Additionally, Spanish legislation regarding the use of methyl bromide is still being modified in accordance with European Regulation (EC) 2037/2000. This project constitutes a base for the future substitution of industrial fumigation of rice processing by non-contaminating technologies. It has high transferability and reproducibility potential as far as the design, construction and installation of the machinery are concerned. It would also be perfectly viable to use this process for other food products. In this way, the project methodology could be reproduced in other production sectors. The system developed would also have sufficient productivity to respond to market demands. However, the full value of the project will become more obvious once the system is used on a broad extent for industrial rice packaging. Benefits should become apparent in a few years once use of methyl bromide is totally banned in the EU and eliminated from the rice market. The Cámara Arrocera de Amposta is also examining only using vacuum sheets as packaging instead of cardboard boxes.