Materials and technologies – September 2025

Improved coatings for cellulose-based packaging
Recent Nofima research, part of the doctoral thesis of Agnete Jordhøy Lindstad, shows that cellulose-based packaging could replace plastic, but only with improved coatings. Biodegradable coatings work for some foods like butter but fail with others (e.g. mayonnaise). Non-biodegradable coatings perform better overall. In December 2024 (2.93 MB) and in February 2025 (4.72 MB), articles about the research were published in Packaging Technology & Science.

Smart packaging indicates product condition
In Jari Isohanni’s doctoral research (23.09 MB) at the University of Vaasa smart packaging was developed that uses colour-changing inks plus AI to detect product condition. Traditional colour-difference methods work for obvious changes, but for subtle/dynamic shifts (humidity, temperature) machine learning performs best. These printed indicators are low-cost, non-electronic, and usable for food, pharmaceuticals and logistics.

Bio-based and biodegradable plastics
Kobe University scientists engineered E. coli to produce pyridinedicarboxylic acid (PDCA), a biodegradable PET‐alternative, at a rate seven times higher than previously reported and without unwanted byproducts. This breakthrough could boost clean bio‐manufacturing and bring bio-based plastics closer to practical use. The study (2.13 MB) is published in Metabolic Engineering.
Researchers at Shinshu University tested LAHB, a bioplastic synthesised from E. coli, in deep-sea conditions and found it degraded much faster than PLA. After 13 months, LAHB lost over 80% of its mass, while PLA showed virtually no change. The study (10.08 MB) is published in Polymer Degradation and Stability.
Flinders University researchers have developed a biodegradable film made from casein (milk protein), modified starch, and nano clay, with glycerol and polyvinyl alcohol to improve flexibility and strength. In soil tests, it fully disintegrated in roughly 13 weeks. The study (8.14 MB) is published in Polymers.

Innovations in circular plastics
The DECONWASTE project led by AIMPLAS, is developing advanced decontamination techniques to enable recycled polyolefins to be safely reused in food contact packaging, per EFSA rules. Key challenges include removing diverse additives and distinguishing food and non-food packaging in recycling streams.
Together with partners, TNO’s Brightlands Materials Center has developed a recyclable, monomaterial polypropylene (PP) retortable soup pouch that withstands high-temperature sterilisation and meets barrier, taste, and shelf-life standards.
TU Eindhoven is using LED light to both create and break down a new class of high-performance plastics. This innovative material enables truly circular recycling, as this process can be repeated, without any loss in quality. The designed polymer is still a niche (e.g. for adhesives, specialised parts) but they aim to expand to everyday plastics. The study (3.93 MB) is published in Advanced Materials.
 

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