Lightweight compostable packaging

The state-of-the-art in the field of lightweight compostable packaging has been reviewed (5). The review starts with an overview of compostabdity, biodegradabihty and presents some definitions. A brief summary of the current use of synthetic commodity polymers used in packaging is followed by an analysis of commercially available, renewable polymers. An overview of the technology of production has been presented, as well as existing and emerging producers (5). 

A comparison of the properties of materials is made to indicate a potential replacement of existing materials with emerging, commercially available renewable, compostable alternatives. The analysis is limited to products that are commercially available, e.g., starch, cellulose, whole crop polymers, and polyesters such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(hydroxyalkanoate), and others (5). Commodity plastics used in food packaging are summarized in Table 7.1. 

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Kosior, E., Braganca, R., Fowler, R, Lightweight compostable packaging Literature review, WRAP project, June 2006. 

E. Kosior, R.M. Braganca, and P. Fowler, Lightweight compostable packaging Literature review. Project INN003/26, BioComposites Centre, University of Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd, 2006. 

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