A research team at Virginia Tech has developed a process that makes plant-based packaging significantly more resistant. The approach could pave the way for biodegradable packaging solutions that are suitable for everyday use.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have presented a new method to improve the mechanical properties of cellulose-based packaging materials - without any chemical additives and with low energy consumption. The technology is based on a low-energy physical process in which cellulose nanofibres are treated several times under low pressure.
This treatment improves the inner structure of the material: it becomes stronger, more gas-tight and yet remains transparent - all key requirements for packaging.
Natural materials such as cellulose have great potential for packaging, but are not yet compatible enough for widespread use. It is exciting to see that biodegradable cellulose-based packaging film can offer robust physical and mechanical properties for many applications.
Compared to conventional high-pressure methods, the new approach is not only more efficient, but also gentler on the material. „We were surprised to discover that several cycles of low-pressure treatment outperform conventional high-pressure processes.“, says Kim. „The material has not only become more functional, but also less damaged - making it a better option for packaging applications.“
The research results were published in the journal Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applicationspublished. You can find the complete study here.
The team - which also includes Audrey Zink-Sharp and Maren Roman - is already working on other applications, such as food-safe, antimicrobial packaging. „This is just the beginning“, emphasises Kim. „By further refining the process, we hope to make sustainable packaging the standard - not the exception.“
