Packaging industry biomedical materials

Abstract Biodegradable thermoplastic materials offer great potential to be used in food packaging or biomedical industry. In this chapter we will present a review of the research done on starch and starch nanocomposites. In the case of nanocomposites based on starch, special attention will be given to the influence of starch nanoparticles, cellulose whiskers, zinc oxide nanorods, antioxidants, and antimicrobial inclusion on the physicochemical properties of the materials. The discussion will be focused on structural, mechanical, and barrel properties as well as on degradation, antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Finally, we will discuss our perspectives on how future research should be oriented to contribute in the substitution of synthetic materials with new econanocomposites. 

Recycling is a necessary part of a sustainable society where the needs of future generations must be considered. We are experiencing an increased use of materials in a series of products, e.g. in biomedical products for improving health, in electronic items for industry and fun, and in simple packaging... 

At present, PLA-based materials are mainly referenced on three different markets, namely, the biomedical (initial market), the textile (mainly in Japan) and the packaging (mainly food, i.e. short-term applications). For instance, reported types of manufactured products are blow-moulded bottles, injection-moulded cups, spoons and forks, ther-moformed cups and trays, paper coatings, fibres for textile industry or sutures, films and various moulded articles [8]. 

Biocomposites usefulness is no longer in question and more and more reports are focused on applicative aspects in the environment, packaging, agriculture devices, biomedical fields, etc. Moreover, because industrials were concerned about sustainable developments and a controlled end of life, production cost of biopolymers goes on decreasing which will allow strong developments of biopolymer-based materials. Therefore, these materials will be technically and financially competitive towards synthetic polymer-based composites. Then, this class of material opens a new dimension for plastic industry for a better sustainable development. 

In conclusion, rubber-based blends are promising materials that can be designed to fulfill the requirements necessary for various types of applications— from medical devices and biomedical applications, to packaging applications, military and aerospace applications, tire industry applications, and structural applications. The chapter also addresses a new trend in the field of rubber-based product development— recycling old parts into powders and incorporating them in different matrices. 

The principal use of membranes in the chemical processing industry is in various separation processes. Seven major membrane separation processes are discussed in this section. These can be classified into technologies that are developed, developing, or to-be-developed, as shown in Table 3. Membranes, or rather films, are also used widely as packaging materials. The use of membranes in various biomedical applications, for example, in controlled release technology and in... 

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