Materials and technologies – June 2025

Inks and coatings
Tampere University of Applied Sciences and industry partners are collaborating to convert spent coffee waste into inks and packaging materials. By extracting pigments, they are developing water-based inks with a bio colourant. The partners are now seeking to expand the collaboration to scale up this bio-based colouring solution.
Northwestern University researchers have developed a graphene oxide based coating that offers water- and oil resistance as well as enhanced strength for paper-based packaging. This non-toxic, biodegradable, and affordable material, now patented and commercialised via GO‑Eco, could safely replace PFAS in food packaging.

Detecting food spoilage with smart packaging
Researchers from Embrapa (in Portuguese) have developed a biodegradable smart packaging that changes colour to indicate spoiled fish. Made with anthocyanin from grape skins, the packaging shifts from red to grey as the fish releases nitrogen compounds, helping consumers detect spoilage through pH changes. The study (abstract) is published in Food Chemistry.

Artificial Intelligence creates exceptional metal packaging
Virginia Tech and Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a data-driven framework using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and evolutionary algorithms to design high-performance alloys. These AI-optimised metals boast exceptional strength, resilience, and corrosion resistance, offering potential for tougher and lighter packaging materials. The study (4.73 MB) is published in npj Computational Materials.

CO₂ in packaging
Researchers at VITO in Belgium have pioneered a method to capture CO₂ from industrial emissions and convert it into valuable chemical feedstocks, i.e., for packaging, via Carbon Capture & Utilisation (CCU). The research team now intends to transfer its methodology to a pilot scale.

Bio-based food packaging materials
Researchers at the University of Queensland have created a biodegradable biocomposite from bacterial PHAs and wood fibres, demonstrated in 200 strawberry punnets. These punnets match traditional plastics in quality and fully biodegrade across environments. The study (5.36 MB) is published in Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing.
The EU-funded ViSS project is transforming poultry and other organic waste into PHBV, a bio-based, biodegradable polymer ideal for food packaging. Its adoption can cut CO₂ emissions of food packaging by 58%.
Penn State researchers have developed edible, biodegradable nanofibers combining milk protein and plant-derived cellulose. These ultrathin fibres form mats that respond to humidity by transforming into transparent films, showing strong potential as food packaging. The study (abstract) is published in the Journal of Colloid and Interface Science.
McMaster University researchers bred strains of mushrooms to customise mycelium’s properties. By selecting and combining genetic variations, they produced biodegradable materials, ranging from flexible fabrics to water-resistant packaging. The study (2.07 MB) is published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts.
 

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