Packaging cellulose-based

Humidity. If the humidity of the packaging area is higher than that of the storage area, condensation may form on the containers, wads, or closures, and any cellulose-based materials will begin to absorb moisture. It may take days (even weeks in the case of roll materials) to reach equilibrium with the filling area. 

In this chapter, packaging materials based on cellulose or natural fibres will be discussed. They provide a major contribution to the packaging of pharmaceuticals, the size and nature of which can readily be overlooked since the number of applications is far more diverse and more paper and board is used than glass, metal or plastics. 

Gas barrier properties were evaluated to access the potential of isotropic all-cellulosic based composites for packaging applications. The mechanical properties, fiexibility and biocompatibility of these materials can be useful, in particular, for food packaging. Due to the nature of the envisaged application insoluble materials are required. This requisite is only fulfilled by cross-linked composites and, therefore, we have decided to subject only cross-Unked films for gas permeation measurements. 

Cellulose-Based Polymers for Packaging Applications 483 Table 21.1 Chemical composition of some common natural vegetable fibers. 

Barhiroli, A., Bonomi, F., Capretti, G., lametti, S., Manzoni, M., Piergiovanni, L., Rollini, M., 2012. Antimicrobial activity of lysozyme and lactoferrin incorporated in cellulose-based food packaging, ood Control 26, 387—392. 

Wang JW. Cellulose-based biodegradable cushioning packaging material. Appl Mech Mater 2013 446-447 1570-3. 

Cohen SG, Haas HC, Eamey L, Valle C Jr (1953) Preparation and properties of some ether and ester derivatives of hydroxyethylcellulose. Ind Eng Chem 45 200-203 Debeaufort E, Voilley A (1995) Methyl cellulose-based edible films and coatings I. Effect of plasticizer content on water and l-octen-3-ol sorption and transport Cellulose 2 205-213 Debeaufort E, Quezada-Gallo JA, Voilley A (1998) Edible films and coatings tomorrow s packagings a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 38(4) 299-313 de Souza Lima MM, Borsali R (2004) Rod like cellulose microcrystals Stmcture, properties and applications. Macromol Rapid Comm 25 771-787 Eitan A, Eisher FT, Andrews R, Brinson LC, Schadler LS (2006) Reinforcement mechanisms in MWCNT-filled polycarbonate. Compos Sci Technol 66 1159-1170 George J, Bawa AS, Siddaramaiah (2010) Synthesis and characterization of bacterial cellulose nanocrystals and their PVA nanocomposites. Adv Mater Res 123 383-386... 

The properties listed in Table 5.8 were responsible for the rapid replacement of cellophane or other cellulose-based packaging materials by polyethylene. Utilizing polyethylene in food packaging applications, such as fresh produce, provided much longer shelf-life and a reduction in waste and spoilage. As can be seen from the physical properties of polyethylene relative to cellulose, polyethylene was more elastic, less likely to tear, heat sealable and much less permeable to water vapor. 

However, cellnlose based derivatives such as hydroxy or carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, and so on have been demonstrated to be commercially viable due to its easy processing and excellent film forming properties making it suitable for packaging applications. In eveiyday life, cellulose based packaging are commonly used as primary packaging snch as PE coated papers and bulk paper products as secondary packaging. 

The non-biodegradable and non-renewable nature of plastic packaging has led to a renewed interest in packaging materials based on biopolymers derived from renewable sources. Such biopolymers include naturally occurring proteins, cellulose, starches, and other polysaccharides and those synthesized chemically from naturally derived monomers such as lactic acid. Commercialization of these bio-based polymers has already begun. Naturewoiks, LLC (Minnetonka, MN) manufactures polylactide from... 

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