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Polymers
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Sustainable Polymers for Value Added and Functional Packaging
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Sustainable Polymers for Value Added and Functional Packaging

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Circular and Green Sustainable Polymer Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 8756

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Sanja Mahović Poljaček

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Graphic Arts, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: graphic technology; printing plates; flexography; screen printing; 3D printing; bio-based polymers; polymer films; active and intelligent packaging
Dr. Tamara Tomašegović

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Graphic Arts, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: graphic technology; flexography; surface treatments; nano-modified coatings; photopolymerizatioin
Dr. Sonja Jamnicki Hanzer

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Graphic Arts, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: graphic technology; printing materials characterisation; paper recycling; safety of paper and board food packaging; end-of-life solutions for fibre and bio-based packaging materials; smart packaging applications; thermochromic inks
Prof. Dr. Mirela Leskovac

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: interfacial phenomena of polymer multiphase systems (composites, nanocomposites and blends) and their synthesis; characterization and structure–property relationships; filler functionalization; surface engineering; adhesion materials; additives for polymer materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The need to reduce the utilization of non-renewable resources in all aspects of human life is uncompromisingly leading to the development and application of new, sustainable materials. The packaging industry is one of the leading producers of non-sustainable polymer waste. In light of recently announced changes in packaging waste policy, the production of packaging and the development of packaging materials will need to align with proposed design-for-recycling guidelines. This involves reducing the proportion of non-recyclable layers in multi-layer packaging, promoting the use of mono-materials, and fostering a cost-effective circular economy in terms of packaging.

Many packaging companies have already begun the transition to paper-based packaging and are focusing on sustainable polymer development. In this context, researchers are diligently exploring sustainable solutions to optimize paper packaging. Consequently, there is a growing need to increase the share of sustainable polymers in packaging production and also maintain the necessary level of functionality and quality of packaging products. Due to general environmental awareness, research into the use of biopolymers has increased significantly recently, and the use of partially or fully biodegradable materials has shown great potential for the production of sustainable packaging. Natural polymers such as cellulose, starch, chitosan, and pectin have shown promise as alternatives to conventional polymers, but their properties must be improved via blending and the forming of composite materials to enhance the functional properties of packaging films. Mixing biopolymers also offers the possibility of obtaining materials with properties tailored to specific types of packaging product. Research has shown that these materials can be widely used to produce biocomposites for packaging due to their promising oxygen barrier properties, water solubility, and thermoplasticity. Nevertheless, taking into account the nature and need of a particular product, further research should be conducted. 

Furthermore, the growing demands of the market for packaging with special functionalities and added value pose new challenges to today's packaging industry. Functional packaging is used to present new packaging solutions with added value, consisting of various smart and intelligent elements/materials that are active in some way, either with or without communication with the user. They can provide additional protection for the packaging and monitor the environment within the packaging. There are numerous examples of commercially used functional packaging technologies, and further research in these areas should be focused on potential for future use. Innovations in smart packaging are also moving toward sustainable polymers and agricultural waste products to ensure that new materials comply with new circular economy requirements. 

This Special Issue aims to showcase the innovations, opportunities, and challenges in all aspects of the production, application and life cycle of sustainable polymers for value-added and functional packaging. 

With a focus on sustainable polymers and functional packaging, potential topics include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Value-added packaging solutions utilizing sustainable polymers;
  • Sustainable approaches to reducing non-recyclable content in packaging;
  • Innovations in smart polymer materials for packaging applications;
  • Functional polymer coatings and agro waste utilization;
  • Sustainable polymers in active and intelligent food packaging;
  • Innovations in packaging design using nanocellulose materials;
  • Enhancing cellulose-based packaging through biopolymer coatings;
  • Biodegradability and environmental impact assessment of sustainable polymers;

End-of-life options for sustainable polymers in packaging.

Prof. Dr. Sanja Mahović Poljaček
Dr. Tamara Tomašegović
Dr. Sonja Jamnicki Hanzer
Prof. Dr. Mirela Leskovac
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainability
  • active and intelligent packaging
  • agro waste
  • polymer films and coatings
  • circular economy
  • bio-based polymers
  • biodegradable polymers
  • enhanced performance in cellulose packaging

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 6275 KiB  
Article
Optimal Conversion of Food Packaging Waste to Liquid Fuel via Nonthermal Plasma Treatment: A Model-Centric Approach
by Mohammad Jakir Hossain Khan, Zilvinas Kryzevicius, Audrius Senulis, Audrone Zukauskaite, Paulius Rapalis and Jochen Uebe
Polymers 2024, 16(21), 2990; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16212990 - 25 Oct 2024
Viewed by 847
Abstract
The efficiency of employing a multifactorial approach to enhance the nonthermal plasma (NTP) chemical conversion of solid waste food packaging materials into liquid petroleum hydrocarbons was assessed for the first time in this study. The researchers adopted a hybrid approach which integrated the [...] Read more.
The efficiency of employing a multifactorial approach to enhance the nonthermal plasma (NTP) chemical conversion of solid waste food packaging materials into liquid petroleum hydrocarbons was assessed for the first time in this study. The researchers adopted a hybrid approach which integrated the zero-dimensional (0-D) and response surface model (RSM) techniques. After their application, the researchers noted that these strategies significantly enhanced the model prediction owing to their accurate electrochemical description. Here, the researchers solved a set of equations to identify the optimisation dynamics. They also established experimental circumstances to determine the quantitative correlation among all process variables contributing to food plastic packaging waste degradation and the production of liquid fuels. The findings of the study indicate a good agreement between the numerical and experimental values. It was also noted that the electrical variables of NTP significantly influenced the conversion yield (Yconv%) of solid plastic packaging waste to liquid hydrocarbons. Similarly, after analysing the data, it was seen that factors like the power discharge rate (x1 ), discharge interval (x2), power frequency (x3), and power intensity (x4) could significantly affect the product yield. After optimizing the variables, the researchers observed a maximal Yconv% of approximately 86%. The findings revealed that the proposed framework could effectively scale up the plasma synergistic pyrolysis technology for obtaining the highest Yconv% of solid packaging plastic wastes to produce an aromatics-enriched oil. The researchers subsequently employed the precision of the constructed framework to upgrade the laboratory-scale procedures to industrial-scale processes, which showed more than 95% efficiency. The extracted oil showed a calorific value of 43,570.5 J/g, indicating that the liquid hydrocarbons exhibited properties similar to commercial diesel. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Polymers for Value Added and Functional Packaging)
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17 pages, 3704 KiB  
Article
Fully Bio-Based Blends of Poly (Pentamethylene Furanoate) and Poly (Hexamethylene Furanoate) for Sustainable and Flexible Packaging
by Giulia Guidotti, Arianna Palumbo, Michelina Soccio, Massimo Gazzano, Elisabetta Salatelli, Valentina M. Siracusa and Nadia Lotti
Polymers 2024, 16(16), 2342; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16162342 - 19 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1556
Abstract
In the present study, bio-based polymeric blends have been prepared for applications in the field of sustainable food packaging, starting from two furan-based homopolymers, poly(hexamethylene 2,5-furanoate) (PHF) and poly(pentamethylene 2,5-furanoate) (PPeF). PHF and PPeF were synthesized by two-step melt polycondensation—a solvent-free synthetic strategy—and [...] Read more.
In the present study, bio-based polymeric blends have been prepared for applications in the field of sustainable food packaging, starting from two furan-based homopolymers, poly(hexamethylene 2,5-furanoate) (PHF) and poly(pentamethylene 2,5-furanoate) (PPeF). PHF and PPeF were synthesized by two-step melt polycondensation—a solvent-free synthetic strategy—and then binary physical mixtures, PHF/PPeF, with different weight compositions were prepared by dissolution in a common solvent. The blends were processed into compression-moulded films, and molecular, morphological, structural, thermal, and mechanical characterizations were subsequently carried out. Blending did not negatively affect the thermal stability of the parent homopolymers, and good compatibility between them was observed. This strategy also allowed for the modulation of the chain rigidity as well as of the crystallinity, simply by acting on the relative weight amount of the homopolymers. From a mechanical point of view, the presence of PPeF led to a reduction in stiffness and an increase in the elongation at break, obtaining materials with an elastomeric behaviour. Evaluation of the gas barrier properties confirmed that the good barrier properties of PHF were preserved by blending. Finally, lab-scale composting tests confirmed a greater weight loss of the mixtures with respect to the PHF homopolymer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Polymers for Value Added and Functional Packaging)
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20 pages, 3401 KiB  
Article
Starch-Based Functional Films Enhanced with Bacterial Nanocellulose for Smart Packaging: Physicochemical Properties, pH Sensitivity and Colorimetric Response
by Sanja Mahović Poljaček, Tamara Tomašegović, Maja Strižić Jakovljević, Sonja Jamnicki Hanzer, Ivana Murković Steinberg, Iva Žuvić, Mirela Leskovac, Gregor Lavrič, Urška Kavčič and Igor Karlovits
Polymers 2024, 16(16), 2259; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16162259 - 9 Aug 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2000
Abstract
Starch-based pH-sensing films with bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) and red cabbage anthocyanins (RCA) as active components were investigated in this research. Their structural, physical, surface and colorimetric properties were analyzed, mainly as a function of BNC concentration. The aim of the research was to [...] Read more.
Starch-based pH-sensing films with bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) and red cabbage anthocyanins (RCA) as active components were investigated in this research. Their structural, physical, surface and colorimetric properties were analyzed, mainly as a function of BNC concentration. The aim of the research was to relate the changes in the intermolecular interactions between the components of the films (starch, anthocyanins and BNC) to the physical, surface and colorimetric properties that are important for the primary intended application of the produced films as pH indicators in smart packaging. The results showed that maize starch (MS) was more suitable as a matrix for the stabilization of anthocyanins compared to potato starch (PS). PS-based films showed a lower value of water contact angle than MS-based films, indicating stronger hydrophilicity. The swelling behavior results indicate that the concentrations of BNC in MS-based films (cca 10%) and the concentration of about 50% BNC in PS-based films are required if satisfactory properties of the indicator in terms of stability in a wet environment are to be achieved. The surface free energy results of PS-based films with BNC were between 62 and 68 mJ/m2 and with BNC and RCA between 64 and 68 mJ/m2; for MS-based films, the value was about 65 mJ/m2 for all samples with BNC and about 68 mJ/m2 for all samples with BNC and RCA. The visual color changes after immersion in different buffer solutions (pH 2.0–10.5) showed a gradual transition from red/pink to purple, blue and green for the observed samples. Films immersed in different buffers showed lower values of 2 to 10 lightness points (CIE L*) for PS-based films and 10 to 30 lightness points for MS-based films after the addition of BNC. The results of this research can make an important contribution to defining the influence of intermolecular interactions and structural changes on the physical, surface and colorimetric properties of bio-based pH indicators used in smart packaging applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Polymers for Value Added and Functional Packaging)
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26 pages, 12288 KiB  
Article
Biopolymeric Blends of Thermoplastic Starch and Polylactide as Sustainable Packaging Materials
by Antun Jozinović, Mario Kovač, Vesna Ocelić Bulatović, Dajana Kučić Grgić, Martina Miloloža, Drago Šubarić and Đurđica Ačkar
Polymers 2024, 16(9), 1268; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091268 - 1 May 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2962
Abstract
The improper disposal of plastics is a growing concern due to increasing global environmental problems such as the rise of CO2 emissions, diminishing petroleum sources, and pollution, which necessitates the research and development of biodegradable materials as an alternative to conventional packaging [...] Read more.
The improper disposal of plastics is a growing concern due to increasing global environmental problems such as the rise of CO2 emissions, diminishing petroleum sources, and pollution, which necessitates the research and development of biodegradable materials as an alternative to conventional packaging materials. The purpose of this research was to analyse the properties of biodegradable polymer blends of thermoplastic potato starch (TPS) and polylactide, (PLA) without and with the addition of citric acid (CA) as a potential compatibilizer and plasticizer. The prepared blends were subjected to a comprehensive physicochemical characterization, which included: FTIR-ATR spectroscopy, morphological analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), determination of thermal and mechanical properties by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), water vapour permeability (WVP), as well as biodegradation testing in soil. The obtained results indicate an improvement in adhesion between the TPS and PLA phases due to the addition of citric acid, better homogeneity of the structure, and greater compatibility of the polymer blends, leading to better thermal, mechanical and barrier properties of the studied biodegradable TPS/PLA polymer blends. After conducting the comprehensive research outlined in this paper, it has been determined that the addition of 5 wt.% of citric acid serves as an effective compatibilizer and plasticizer. This supplementation achieves an optimal equilibrium across thermal, mechanical, morphological, and barrier properties, while also promoting material sustainability through biodegradation. In conclusion, it can be stated that the use of thermoplastic starch in TPS/PLA blends accelerates the biodegradation of PLA as a slowly biodegradable polymer. While the addition of citric acid offers significant advantages for TPS/PLA blends, further research is needed to optimize the formulation and processing parameters to achieve the desired balance between mechanical strength, thermal and barrier properties and biodegradability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Polymers for Value Added and Functional Packaging)
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