Natural packaging for increased sustainability
The NEWGENPAK (New generation of functional cellulose fibre based packaging materials for sustainability) project was established to develop innovative solutions for sustainable packaging. These involve the use of cellulose-based biopolymers as a promising 100 % biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based packaging materials. Project partners advanced state-of-the-art sustainable packaging in next-generation packaging composites and cellulose fibre-based active packaging. They also examined the environmental, economic and societal aspects of packaging production. The key strategic aim was to further strengthen the long-term sustainable packaging research and training base in the EU. Researchers investigated the use of nanocellulose, which can significantly offset some of the weaknesses of other biopolymers by adding mechanical strength and barrier properties to coatings and films. The material can be functionalised for antioxidant and antibacterial activity and even yield intelligent or active packaging solutions. Modelling techniques were first used to understand and predict the relationship between structure and function. The consortium then produced a mineral oil barrier with effectiveness up to 98 % in the lab and a multi-barrier system with dry oxygen permeability similar to polyethylene terephthalate, the most common type of polyester. A second line of research focused on developing cellulose fibre-based active packaging and assessed a number of commercial thermochromic inks for printability on both benchmark and modified substrates. These were used for studies on intelligent packaging for fruits and vegetables, which changes colour with temperature. Finally, scientists wanted to ensure that the processing was as sustainable as the product. They therefore developed 10 criteria to evaluate the environmental, economic and social impacts of the manufacturing processes. A comparison life-cycle assessment of conventional versus active packaging showed that the overall impacts were comparable. Moreover, the environmental impact resulting from the incorporation of active agents could be offset by their contribution to increased shelf life. NEWGENPAK therefore successfully developed barrier and active technologies that enhance the performance and thus the use of carbon dioxide-neutral, cellulose-based packaging materials. The developments will help to reduce the environmental impact of packaging materials by ensuring that the enormous amount of embodied energy in food is not lost, thereby also boosting the competitiveness of EU manufacturers.
Keywords
NEWGENPAK, cellulose fibre, sustainable packaging, biopolymers, thermochromic inks