Nanoclays in Food and Beverage Packaging

Abstract

In this study, we present and discuss the technical benefits of using nanoclays as a promising property enhancer in organic polymers for food and beverage packaging. The incorporation of nanoclays can improve the thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties of a host polymer. Both natural hydrophilic and modified organophilic nanoclays provide unique characteristics to the host polymer depending on the selected applications. Besides the advantage of polymer reinforcement, various novel applications of nanoclays in food packaging have been suggested recently, such as control and release for active ingredients, antimicrobial agent, and carrier for the colorimetric indicator system. The existing migration studies discussing the transition from plastic to nanoclay packaging revealed that the diffused level of aluminum and silicon in the nanoclay packaging are within the limitation proposed in Council Directive 90/128/EEC (1990). Therefore, until now, there is no safety restriction in the use of clay nanocomposite films in food packaging applications.

Multilayer packaging: Advances in preparation techniques and emerging food applications

“…However, its use can be limited because of the presence of moisture‐sensitive hydroxyl groups. This can be overcome by forming a multilayer structure using hydrophobic materials such as PP or LDPE through lamination or coextrusion processing (Bumbudsanpharoke & Ko, 2019). Multilayer films are a common approach used for the development of packaging systems requiring controlled release of active ingredients (Apicella, Scarfato, Di Maio, & Incarnato, 2018).…”

Food-Grade PE Recycling: Effect of Nanoclays on the Decontamination Efficacy

“…Packaging, which is used to prevent food spoilage from production to consumption, is a key point for globalization, harmonization and trade barriers in terms of consumer safety and waste management. The development strategy of food packaging nanocomposites (PNC) aims (1) to enhance their mechanical and barrier properties, with a very special challenge for eco-friendly bio-plastics for environmental purposes (nano-bio-composites) and/or (2) to endow them with innovative functionalities (antimicrobial, gas perm-selectivity, nano-bio-sensors, etc.) for an active and intelligent packaging development.…”

“…The market of nanotechnologies is dominated by the food packaging sector which amounted to over 20% of the total nanotechnology market in 2015, grossing 700 billion by 2020 with 2/3rd market share for food packaging. However, the wide-scale use of engineered nanocomposite materials for food packaging [1] raises important questions about environmental and safety issues that could strongly hinder the nanotechnology market development. Indeed, the introduction of nanoparticles in such new composites materials presents particular challenges, especially with regard to safety issues, and should induce new technical constraints on the mechanical recycling process initially developed for neat polymers.…”

Eco-Friendly, Green Packaging Materials from Akaganeite and Hematite Nanoparticle-Reinforced Chitosan Nanocomposite Films

“…Over several decades, various biodegradable materials have gained considerable attention as alternatives for petrochemicalbased packaging materials [1]. Production of biopolymeric packaging films provides a number of economic and environmental benefits.…”

“…Recent studies proposed various methods to enhance the properties by reinforcing numerous inorganic materials into the chitosan polymer matrix. Reinforcing nanomaterials such as nanohydroxyapatite [18,21,22], nano-MgO [6], nanoclays including montmorillonite [1,23], and halloysite nanotubes [24,25] had been incorporated, and numerous physicochemical properties of the packaging materials have been enhanced. Moreover, incorporation of graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes has successfully increased the mechanical properties of the films [3,16].…”