Logo of the Information System for Agriculture and Food Research

Information System for Agriculture and Food Research

Information platform of the Federal and State Governments

Self-healing barrier layers in food packaging based on the principle of microencapsulation

Project


Project code: 22015118
Contract period: 01.09.2019 - 31.08.2022
Budget: 667,500 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: renewable ressources, biopolymers, packaging techniques, starch

Consumers and customers consistently rate paper-based packaging positively. In order to meet the required requirement profiles for packaging materials, especially in the food industry, paper and cardboard must be provided with barrier coatings. Due to the sustainability trend, the interest in coatings made from renewable raw materials and biopolymers has increased in recent years. A common problem in the processing of coated papers and cartons is the formation of cracks, breaks and fissures in the barrier coating due to mechanical stress. This has a negative effect on the barrier properties, in particular in the case of food packaging, since undesired entry or exit of gases or liquids can occur. In order to protect packaging goods effectively, the functionality of barriers must be guaranteed throughout the life cycle of the packaging material. So far, as a countermeasure for the lack of mechanical resistance of barriers, exterior and interior ceilings of base boards have been reinforced and several barrier screeds have been applied to the back of the cardboard. However, the steps are often not sufficient and are also associated with high costs. A promising approach to improve the barrier properties of packaging is the equipment of the barrier layer with self-healing properties, e.g. by the use of microcapsules. By incorporating microencapsulated self-healing components in the barrier layer, any damage during processing (creasing, etc.) can break up the microcapsules, thus releasing the healing component to seal the cracks. For optimal and precise adjustment of microcapsules on the polymer matrix, this research project favors a bio-based starch / cellulose based coating with good barrier properties to mineral oil.

show more show less

Subjects

Advanced Search