Page 67 - Plastics News July 2025

BUSINESS NEWS

New processes to improve properties of

bioplastics for packaging applications

he use of bioplastics in packaging appli- bioplastics by orienting polymer chains for pack-
cations is emerging as a more sustain- aging applications without compromising their
Table alternative to conventional non-bio- biodegradability and/or compostability.”
degradable plastics derived from fossil sources.
However, further research is needed to ensure The use of bioplastics in the packaging sector,
that biodegradable and/or compostable plas- she added, “is proposed as an alternative to con-
tics can meet the necessary requirements to ventional plastics in cases where food residues
preserve and extend the shelf life of packaged remain in the packaging, making recycling diffi-
products. cult. Therefore, using bioplastics in such applica-

In this context, the BIOPROCESS
project, led by Aimplas, aims
to improve the mechanical and
barrier properties of bioplas-
tics to produce films for high-
performance flexible packaging
in sectors such as food, cos-
metics and personal hygiene,
detergents, and cleaning. The
research involves two collabo-
rating companies: Potato Bio-
plastics, a manufacturer of new
bioplastics from renewable
sources, and Gaviplas, a flexible
film manufacturer.

Alicia Naderpour, Packaging Re-
searcher at Aimplas, stated: “In
BIOPROCESS, we have adopt-
ed the one-step approach for
producing films from natural polymers, as it of- tions allows for the organic recovery of packag-
fers significant advantages in terms of efficiency, ing waste to produce high-quality compost.”
sustainability, product quality, and preservation
of the natural properties of the materials. Addi- In the BIOPROCESS project, Aimplas has applied
tionally, the goal is to enhance the properties of Machine Direction Orientation (MDO) extrusion

July 2025 PLASTICS NEWS 67