A food packaging coating product that claims to replace those based on petrochemicals has been developed the Paint Research Association (PRA) working as part of an EU research consortium. PlantPack is an eco-friendly food packaging coating product made from seaweed extracts and starch, that can be applied to paper and cardboard as a spray, according to PRA
“PlantPack is a real breakthrough for packing technology as it means at last there is a cost-effective, sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived coatings products,” says Ian Claris, director of PRA. “And because it’s a biodegradable product, it can be composted and recycled easily. So it’s better for the environment and performs at least as well as the existing products. We expect there to be a big demand for it.”
Although seaweed extracts have previously been used to develop sustainable barrier materials for food and pharmaceuticals products, they have never been applied as a coating for packaging products as they haven’t been as flexible or strong, according to Claris.
“To overcome these physical limitations, the scientists working on the project blended seaweed extracts with starch and starch derivatives so it could be applied to paper packaging,” he adds.
Source: Food and Drink Technology – Seaweed Packaging Coating Set to Make Waves
