Packaging biodegradable

Certain bacterial species produce polymers of y-hydroxybutyric acid and other hydroxyalkanoic acids as storage polymers. These are biodegradable polymers with some desirable properties for manufacture of biodegradable packaging materials, and considerable effort is being devoted by ICI Ltd. and others to the development of bacterial fermentation processes to produce these polymers at a high molecular weight (66). 

Unnecessary packaging material should be avoided and the food should be packaged in reusable, recycled, recyclable and biodegradable packaging. 

Itavara, M. Vilman, M. Venelampi, O. Windrow composting of biodegradable packaging materials. Compost. Sci. Util. 1997, 5, 84-92. 

A second approach to biodegradable packaging is to blend polyethylene with a second synthetic polymer with polar repeating units that are capable of degradation, such as ester linkages (chapter 12). Poly(caprolactone) represents such a class of polymer, which has a long history of compatibility ( with a variety of polymers and degradability (5) recently, improved miscibility and Glm properties have been reported when poly(caprolactone) is blended with commodity plastics... 

Guilbert, S., Cuq, B., Gontard, N. (1997). Recent innovations in edible and/or biodegradable packaging materials. Eood Additives and Contaminants, 14, 741-751. 

Storey, M. (2003). Biodegradable packaging spuds get packing. Sustainable Technologies Initiative. Oakdene Hollins, http //www.ohlsti.co.uk/ohl/stipdfs/ohl sti56.pdf. 

Bohlmann, G.M., Biodegradable packaging life-cycle assessment, Enviro Progress, 23, 4, 342-346. 

The world biodegradable plastics industry has agreed a set of standards and certification procedures for biodegradable packaging materials, which will continue to encourage growth and possibly deter imitation. 

Major retailers and food manufacturers have opted for biodegradable packaging in 2005. For example, Wal-Mart Stores selected NatureWorks PLA to manufacture containers for herbs and other products, while Del Monte Fresh Produce increased its use of NatureWorks PLA for packaging fruit. 

Consumers are already encountering biodegradable flexible packaging in a number of supermarkets. In the UK, for example, supermarket chains such as Sainsbury and Tesco are using biodegradable packaging for organic food products. 

In the Netherlands, Albert Heijn has been using biodegradable packaging for a number of its fresh organic fruit and vegetable products since 2003. 

Cortec offers two families of high performance, certified biodegradable packaging technologies based on polyester from corn, Eco Film and Eco Works films and bags. Cortec became the first US manufacturer to complete the Din Certco application and review process for Eco Film and Eco Works film and bag products in March 2005. Eco Film and Eco Works also meet ASTM D 6400 international standards for commercial compostability. 

Good Flag Biotechnology has experienced a sharp growth in demand from food manufacturers, retailers and hotels for its 100% biodegradable packaging. The company has invested 2.5 million in new equipment from Germany to produce environmentally friendly thermoformed cups from PLA. The company has production capacity for 12 million items per day for both PLA and PP cups. 

AgroResin is a biodegradable packaging material from by-products of the palm oil industry. It can also be made from agricultural fibres, such as wheat straw. It is compatible with existing moulded pulp manufacturing processes. AgroResin has received Din-Certco certification for products made of compostable materials (DIN EN 13432 2000-12). 

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