“Green” Packaging with Nanoparticles
23 July 2007Nanotechnology is being used in the packaging industry as food suppliers are required to use more environmentally friendly plastics for their goods. The quest for green packaging has introduced bioplastics such as PLA, Polylactic acid. Instead of being developed from petroleum like conventional plastics, PLA is developed from corn. Thus, it is biodegradable and consumes less fossil fuel to produce than standard packaging.
However, it is not without its flaws. Specifically, PLA tends to be weaker than its petroleum-based counterpart. Conventional methods to strengthen the PLA have involved a tradeoff. While the package becomes stronger, it loses its transparency. Now nanoparticles are being used to remedy the process.
The nanoparticles that are used do not scatter light. They are added to the PLA and enable it to maintain its transparency while it becomes stronger. Laboratory testing has claimed results of not more than 10 percent haze at 5 percent loading. The material can withstand the rigors of wear and tear while maintaining clarity.
As supermarket chains and other food suppliers attempt to ramp up their compliance with environmental packaging requirements over the next few years, it is expected that nanoparticle-enhanced PLA will become part of the solution.
Related Posts:
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- Concerns for nanoparticles being used in cosmetics
- Use of Nanoparticles in Food Safety
- Nanotechnology and Cleaning Up the Environment
- Health Hazard Associated With Nanotech
- Magnetic Nanoparticles produced from Bacteria
- Gold nanoparticles fabricated using new ecofreindly process
- Research on Gold Nanoparticles
- Nanoparticles in Catalysis
- Use of bioconjugated silica nanoparticles in bioanalysis
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It will look like this: “Green” Packaging with Nanoparticles
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