Materials and technologies – August 2025
Innovations in scalable bioplastics
Researchers at Rice University have created a simple, scalable method to make strong, flexible sheets from bacterial cellulose. These sheets are transparent, lightweight, and offer exceptional tensile strength, applicable in plastic packaging. The study (4.17 MB) is published in Nature Communications.
Researchers at Washington University have developed a new bioplastic, LEAFF, inspired by the structure of leaves. Made by layering cellulose nanofibers between polylactic acid (PLA) films, it is stronger than conventional plastics, biodegradable at room temperature, airtight, and printable. The studies are published in Nature Communications (4.52 MB) and Green Chemistry (3.10 MB).
Virginia Tech scientists have created tough, adaptable “biohybrid” plastics by combining whole-cell algae with common chemical components. The method produces fully recyclable materials in just 90 minutes instead of two days. The study (2.27 MB) is published in Angewandte Chemie.
USDA funds sustainable packaging
The USDA’s $10 million Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab is developing compostable, cellulose-based, recycled, and edible packaging for US specialty crops, helping exporters meet regulations in the EU, Canada, and Japan.
Artificial intelligence accelerates the discovery of new polymers
MIT researchers have developed a machine-learning model to identify crosslinker molecules that strengthen polymers. By adding these molecules, they make the polymers more tear resistant. This could create tougher, more durable plastics for packaging. The study (6.47 MB) is published in ACS Central Science.
Decarbonisation in the plastic value chain
An article by McKinsey, highlights that plastics production accounts for approximately 3% of global carbon emissions. Key solutions include adopting circular economy models, increasing recycling rates, using renewable energy in manufacturing, and developing bio-based or chemically recycled plastic, especially critical for sustainable packaging.
KAIST and Stanford researchers have found that ethane, a major component of natural gas, affects the metabolism of a bacterium. Ethane boosts production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable polymer. The study (1.76 MB) is published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
Advances in fibre-based packaging
Aalto University’s recent bachelor’s thesis (1.5 MB) written by Roosa Vauhkonen reviews bio-based coatings for fibre packaging, focusing on cellulose, chitosan, and lignin alternatives to plastics. Challenges remain in cost and scalability, but the research advances sustainable packaging solutions.
Researchers from JAMSTEC have created a transparent, biodegradable paperboard from plant cellulose. Made via a closed-loop process using recycled wastepaper and textiles, it is moisture-resistant and mouldable, offering an alternative to plastic packaging. The study (7.69 MB) is published in Science Advances.
A CBQF case study (8.29 MB) published in Food Packaging and Shelf Life discusses the increasing demand for paperboard packaging in the food industry, particularly for fruits and vegetables, due to pressures to reduce plastic usage.
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