Page 58 - Plastics News February 2026
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PRODUCT NEWS
precedented control over properties such as degradable and often unrecyclable due to their
molecular permeability, biodegradability, and multilayer constructions of incompatible poly-
mechanical strength, making it possible to com- mers designed to meet stringent barrier require-
bine multiple polymer characteristics in a single ments. While these barriers are essential for pre-
material. serving the stability and shelf life of food and
medical products, such materials typically accu-
The nanolayer coextrusion and biaxial orienta- mulate in landfills, where they fragment into sec-
tion processes further enhance oxygen and wa- ondary microplastics, contributing to long-term
ter vapor resistance, ensuring the films can with- environmental persistence.
stand real-world packaging operations without
contributing to microplastic waste. “The nanolayered packaging material under de-
velopment is engineered to deliver the requisite
Creating opportunity
barrier performance while remaining fully biode-
For plastics processors producing film for pack- gradable, thereby minimizing its environmental
aging, Zahidul Wahab, research fellow in Poly- footprint,” he said.
mer R&D and Innovation at Peak Nano, empha- NanoPlex films provide processors with an op-
sized that this represents an opportunity — not portunity to match or exceed state-of-the-art
a disruption.
oxygen and water-vapor barrier performance.
“Converters and film manufacturers are under They also improve toughness, reduce brittleness
increasing pressure from brands and regula- for real-world converting, and engineer biodeg-
tors to reduce microplastic waste while main- radability into the material design.
taining strict barrier performance standards,” “What that means is brands no longer have to
he told PlasticsToday. “NanoPlex technology is choose between high-performance protection
designed to integrate with existing coextrusion and a responsible end-of-life outcome,” Wahab
and converting infrastructure, meaning produc- said.
ers can adopt next-generation biodegradable
barrier films without rebuilding their operations Wahab further explained that biodegradability
from scratch.” represents a natural and environmentally aligned
alternative to conventional recycling for reduc-
For plastics companies, Wahab noted that this ing the ecological footprint of plastic materials.
creates a pathway to enter the fast-growing
sustainable packaging segment, meet emerg- “As biodegradable polymers break down into
ing environmental requirements, and differenti- benign byproducts that reintegrate into the en-
ate with high-performance biodegradable bar- vironment, their overall environmental impact is
rier products. As sustainability expectations rise substantially lower than that associated with tra-
globally, companies that adapt early will be best ditional recycling processes,” he said.
positioned for growth.
Innovation hub drives regional growth
Wahab also highlighted that conventional food
and barrier packaging films are largely non-bio- Peak Nano's project is one of eight initiatives
58 PLASTICS NEWS February 2026
