Biodegradable packaging

Biopolymers are replacing synthetic polymers in many applications due to their sustainability. Derived from renewable sources, they offer biodegradability and reduced environmental impact. Industries from packaging to biomedical are adopting biopolymers for various products, contributing to a more sustainable future. Blown extrusion technology is crucial in the production of bio-polymers, providing a sustainable solution to traditional plastic materials. By using renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane, bio-polymers offer biodegradability and reduced environmental impact. Blown extruders shape these materials into films, sheets, and bags by melting them and forcing them through a die. Air is then introduced to expand the material to the desired dimensions. This process allows for precise control over product properties, making bio-polymers a viable eco-friendly alternative for various industries.

Bio sensors

Intelligent food packaging is emerging as a novel technology, capable of monitoring the quality and safety of food during its shelf-life time. This technology makes use of indicators and sensors that are applied in the packaging and that detect changes in physiological variations of the foodstuffs (due to microbial and chemical degradation). These indicators usually provide information, e.g., on the degree of freshness of the product packed, through a color change, which is easily identified, either by the food distributor and the consumer. However, most of the indicators that are currently used are non-renewable and non-biodegradable synthetic materials. Because there is an imperative need to improve food packaging sustainability, choice of sensors should also reflect this requirement.

Biodegradable Coatings

Research into alternative packaging materials is becoming more and more popular as a result of growing eco-friendly concerns regarding the usage of some petroleum-based polymeric packaging materials and coatings, as well as growing buyer demands for products with nutritious quality and extended shelf lives. Barrier coatings made of naturally renewable biopolymers can be applied to paper packing materials. These biopolymer coatings have the potential to replace the current synthetic paper and paperboard coatings, are strong oxygen and oil barriers, and may prevent the unintended moisture transfer in food goods. An appealing method of controlling the growth and spread of microorganisms in food packaging is the integration of antimicrobial compounds into coatings to create active/functional paper-based packaging materials.

Sustainable Packaging Materials

Sustainable packaging is made from materials like recyclable PET or HDPE plastics, cardboard, and paper, which can be reprocessed into new items. It also includes compostable materials such as PLA (starch-based) and cellulose, which biodegrade in compost, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics. These materials are used in a variety of applications, from food containers and cutlery to flexible packaging and products in fashion and cannabis industries, combining environmental benefits with performance.