Biodegradable Packaging

Valentina Trinetta, Valentina Trinetta, Assistant Professor, Food Science Institute, Animal Science Department, Kansas State
University, Manhattan, KS, USA
2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

References 2

The production and use of plastic-based packaging has increased exponentially over the past two decades reected in an annual
growth of approximately 5% (Malathy et al., 2014). Plastics have the advantage of being broadly available at relatively low
cost, and also show good mechanical and chemical characteristics suitable for food packaging systems (Siracusa et al.,
2008). In the early part of the twenty-rst century, plastics manufacturers and users, the latter including food companies
and consumers, are all showing a greater awareness for the environment and the importance of nding suitable green solu-
tions to the explosion of plastic-based packaging (Siracusa et al., 2008). Plastic packaging materials cannot always be recycled
because such materials are often contaminated with food stuff and/or biological substances. Consequently, less than 3% of the
500 billion plastic bags that are distributed in the market every year are recycled (Malathy et al., 2014). Moreover, the majority
of plastic-based packaging materials is disposed of in landlls thus, increasing pressure on municipal waste disposal systems
(Kirwan and Strawbridge, 2003).
Strategies for reusing and recycling materials are important, but equally important are the biodegradability and compostability
of food packaging materials and these characteristics are increasingly becoming essential traits. Biodegradables are materials that can
be degraded by the enzymatic action of bacteria, yeast, and/or fungi; and they are also compostable when they act as fertilizers and
soil conditioners. Several commercially available synthetic polymers are biodegradable and compostable, including starch, cellu-
lose, and lignin. Moreover, many bioplastics are a mix of synthetic components and are currently used in some packaging applica-
tions such as trash bags, loose-ll packing foam, wrappings, and laminated papers, but also diaper back sheets, cotton swabs, toys,
and fast-food tableware (Malathy et al., 2014).
While the degradable and compostable properties of these biopolymers are important, equally so are their mechanical and
barrier properties, changes that might occur during transportation, and the interaction with food systems. As such, the study of
biodegradable and recyclable polymers is a growing research eld in food packaging science.
Biodegradable polymers are classied based on their process of synthesis: polymers coming from agro-resources, from microor-
ganisms, those chemically synthesized, and those obtained from biotechnology processes (Figure 1).
As noted earlier, some biodegradable polymers are already available in the market (Table 1), but more research is needed in
order to improve their use and performances.
The use of biopolymers and edible lms represents one strategy helping efforts to decrease pressure on municipal waste disposal
systems. The use of recycled materials in food packaging applications might represent a faster and easier solution for the immediate
future. For example, in the US, recycled packaging materials need to comply with the same regulations that apply to all packaging
materials in contact with foodstuffs and meet the purity requirements of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDA, 2002). While in
Europe, the recycled materials must meet the specic requirement stated by the Member State legislation, depending on whether the
material is plastic or paper, and meet the safety requirement outlined in the EU Framework Regulation (Misko, 2013). More details
on regulations and on the use of alternative sources for recyclable packaging have been described in dedicated Sections of the
Module.
This Section of the Module offers an overview of the different categories of edible lms and biodegradable polymers, based on
their process of synthesis and their physical and chemical characteristics. Strategies to recycle paper, cardboard, metals, and plastics
are also described. The most signicant research studies and commercial applications in the eld of food packaging are provided,
along with trends, opportunities, and challenges.

Polymers obtained from

Biodegradable polymers
biotechnology processes

(e.g polylactic acid)

Polymers coming from Polymers coming from Polymers chemically

agro- resources microbial extraction synthesized

(e.g corn, zeine) (e.g pullulan) (e.g polyesteramide)

Figure 1 Classication of biodegradable polymers.

Reference Module in Food Sciences http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-100596-5.03351-5 1

2 Biodegradable Packaging

Table 1 Commercially available biodegradable polymers

Biopolymers Company

Cellulose acetate Mazzucchelli, Italy

(www.mazzucchelli1849.it/eng/mission.php)
Polylactic acid NatureWorks, USA
(http://www.natureworksllc.com)
Galactic, USA
(http://www.lactic.com/en-us/home.aspx)
Starch Avebe, Netherlands
(http://www.avebe.com)
Starch-based blend Novamont, Italy
(http://www.novamont.com/default.asp?id414)

Modied from Pawar, P.A., Purwar, A.H., 2013. Biodegradable polymers in food packaging.
Am. J. Eng. Res. 2, 151164.

References

Food and Drug Administration, 2002. Regulatory Report: FDAs Food Contact Substance Notication Program. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/
PackagingFCS/ucm064161.htm (accessed on 05.10.15.).
Kirwan, M.J., Strawbridge, J.M., 2003. Plastics in Food Packaging. In: Food Packaging Technology, pp. 174240.
Malathy, A.N., Santhosh, K.S., Nidoni, U., 2014. Recent trends of biodegradable polymer: biodegradable lms for food packaging and application of nanotechnology in biodegradable
food packaging. Curr. Trends Technol. Sci. 3, 7379.
Misko, G.G., 2013. U.S. and EU Requirements for Recycled Food Contact Materials. Available at: http://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/magazine-archive1/octobernovember-2013/
us-and-eu-requirements-for-recycled-food-contact-materials/ (accessed on 18.08.15.).
Pawar, P.A., Purwar, A.H., 2013. Biodegradable polymers in food packaging. Am. J. Eng. Res. 2, 151164.
Siracusa, V., Rocculi, P., Romani, S., Dalla Rosa, M., 2008. Biodegradable polymers for food packaging: a review. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 19, 634643.