Researchers from Italian renewable chemicals developer Bio-on and the University of Tampere in Finland have developed a new biodegradable material, as part of the Minerv PHA Extrusion Coating project.
Launched in late 2015, the project aimed to develop a new biodegradable, environmentally friendly material using paper and bioplastic for food packaging.
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The new technology fuses a biopolymer onto the paper during an extrusion process, eliminating the use of film.
Bio-on chairman Marco Astorri said: "Together we demonstrate that it is possible to develop new functionalities in the use of PHAs biopolymers in dozens of items."
Tetrapak-type containers using paper and bioplastic, known as special-grade Extrusion Coating (EC), were developed during the project.
Researchers also replaced the polyethylene contained in current packaging, sustaining all of its water resisting capabilities.
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By GlobalDataTampere University of Technology professor Kuusipalo said: "The PHAs made by Bio-on is very versatile and enables us to achieve performances never seen before.
"Being able to do this with completely natural products will put us at the cutting-edge of research and development in the coming decades."
The new biodegradable cartons have been designed for foodstuffs, including milk and fruit juice.
