Materials and technologies – October 2025
Developing bio-based plastics
Every year, more than one million tons of paper and cardboard waste are incinerated in Flanders and the Netherlands. A missed opportunity - because these waste streams contain valuable raw materials. According to MNEXT, the new project Fibre Save demonstrates that waste can actually serve as the foundation for sustainable plastics. Using innovative fermentation technologies, low-grade paper and cardboard waste are converted into PHB – a bio-based, fully biodegradable plastic that can replace fossil-based plastics.
Monash University researchers have transformed food waste sugars into PHA biopolymers for plastic films that could one day replace petroleum-based packaging. The study (3.2 MB), published in Microbial Cell Factories, provides a framework for designing bioplastics for temperature-sensitive packaging, medical films and other products.
Well-considered decision making on environmental impact of packaging
‘Assessing the environmental impact of packaging during product development to ensure well-considered decision-making’ was the aim of research (24.04 MB) conducted at the NVC Chair Packaging Design and Management (University Twente), with results presented by Elisa Achterhof on 21 August 2025. The analysis was tested on a business case by HAK.
AI accelerates search for novel chemicals and packaging materials
The chemical and materials industries face a dual challenge: resources must be used more efficiently, while fossil carbon sources need to be phased out. Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a central tool that not only automates processes but also reshapes them. It creates transparency, increases productivity, and enables resource-efficient production from material development to recycling. Nova-Institute recently published an interesting overview article and the topic is also addressed for the search of novel packaging materials in the upcoming 72nd NVC General meeting of members (27 November 2025, register here).
Packaging foam materials
For his dissertation (5.52 MB) at the University of Oulo, Mohammad Karzarjeddi investigated nanocellulose-based porous foam materials for different applications, including smart packaging. He focused on a new generation of lightweight foams called aerogels which can contain air by more than 99% of their weight.
IIT Madras researchers have developed an agriculture waste-based packaging foam material by cultivating different types of mushrooms on agricultural and paper wastes.
Label shows whether vaccines have been exposed to damaging heat
According to scientists from the University of Surrey, a colour-changing label could help prevent millions of vaccine doses from going to waste. The innovation provides a low-cost and reliable way to show whether vaccines have been exposed to damaging heat. The patented innovation now commercialised as the TempSight® Time Temperature Indicator has now been licensed for large-scale production by MM Packaging.
Heat sealability and convertibility of cellulose film
A LUT University study (4.39 MB) entitled “Heat Sealability and Convertibility of Cellulose Film in Vertical Form, Fill and Seal Machine for Food Packaging Applications” is published in Packaging Technology and Science. The findings support the potential of cellulose film as a packaging solution.
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