Materials and technologies – January 2025

Innovative materials: Self-repairing- and origami packaging
Researchers at Bournemouth University have developed a self-healing plastic with a gel-like healing agent activated by humidity. The material restores 96% of its original strength within minutes, offering potential to reduce waste and extend product lifespans, from reusable drink bottles to other packaging materials to mobile phones. The study (abstract) is published in Applied Nano Materials.
The FOLD2 project from VTT and Aalto University has developed origami-inspired cardboard packaging, offering flexible, and visually striking alternatives to plastic and polystyrene. The technology uses existing paperboard grades without modification and enables versatile applications. Commercialisation is targeted within 3-5 years.

Novel degradable and recyclable plastics
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a recyclable, ocean-degradable plastic using ionic monomers. The material is non-toxic, non-flammable and dissolves in seawater without forming microplastics. The study (abstract) is published in Science.
University of Adelaide PhD candidate Mel Nguyen has won the Trending on Visualise Your Thesis award for her research on transforming food waste into durable, versatile bioplastics. Supported by the university and End Food Waste CRC, she aims to commercialise her solution. Her video presentation is published on YouTube.

EU projects drive plastic circularity
The EU project CIRCULAR FoodPack, in collaboration with partners such as Fraunhofer institute and Siegwerk Druckfarben, has developed innovative technologies for recycling flexible polyethylene food packaging. Using novel processes, the project achieved high-purity recyclates suitable for new food- and non-food packaging. The project is a €5.4 million Horizon 2020 initiative.
The BOTTLE4FLEX Project, launched by AIMPLAS, Convinil and Eroski, aims to develop 100% recyclable flexible skinpack containers using recycled PET. By developing advanced technologies, it addresses challenges in recycling multilayer PET. The project is funded by the EU.

Improving the conversion of CO₂ to plastics
MIT engineers have developed a new electrode design to improve the electrochemical conversion of CO₂ into useful products, e.g., ethylene. This innovative system, demonstrated at a larger scale, could help scale up carbon conversion processes, increasing their efficiency for industrial applications, like packaging production. The study (1.95 MB), published in Nature Communications, was supported by Shell.

Reports on biobased chemicals and food waste prevention
A report (1.83 MB) by Luke explores the potential of bio-based chemicals derived from renewable biomass sources. It assesses their applications in various industries, including packaging, and projects their market growth by 2050.
PTIS has prepared a report (1.19 MB) for the FPA on the potential for the flexible packaging industry to tackle food waste. The study presents science- and design-based flexible packaging solutions for food waste prevention.
 

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