A study conducted at Karlstad University in Sweden determined that all petroleum-based material used in food packaging can be eventually replaced with a starch-based material.
According to the study, the new bio-based material, which is a combination of starch and other polymers, can offer a protective barrier similar to that of plastic packaging.
Petroleum-based plastic is generally used to serve as protective coating for paper-based food packaging to prevent the risk of oxygen or water entering into the packaging and spoiling the product.
A researcher at the Karlstad University highlighted that a new bio-based material prepared using lignin from wood and starch from maize or potatoes can potentially be as effective as plastic.
Related
Karlstad University doctor in Chemical Engineering Asif Javed said: “Food packaging has to protect and extend the shelf life of food, and should also work during transport.
“To meet these demands, a protective barrier is needed in paper-based packagings, such as those used for juice or dairy.”
Content from our partners
“If new materials are to be used, they have to be at least as good as or better than petroleum-based material – regarding extending the shelf life of food, as well as the cost and effectivity of manufacture and transport.”
Javed also pointed out that more research is needed to replace petroleum-based materials completely in the long term.
Conducted at the Vipp graduate school at Karlstad University, the research was funded by Billerud Korsnäs and the Knowledge Foundation.
Related Companies
