Recent advances in bio-polymers for innovative food packaging

Abstract

Petroleum based polymers have dominated our life in past century. However, lack of recyclability and slow degradation are considered as serious shortcomings of traditional polymers. In addition progressively increasing thrust on eco-friendly and sustainable systems is growing need to develop green polymers that can offer the performance and properties comparable to conventional plastics. Biopolymers have brought about new prospects to develop eco-friendly composites with amended recyclability and degradation. Biopolymers play an important role in the field of automotive, packaging, electrical and electronic sector for sustainable development. Hence concerning sustainable practices currently, we are on the edge of an era of biopolymers. Future developments in biodegradable and renewable materials will focus mainly to the scalingup of low cost production and improvement of product properties. Biopolymers can be produced from various renewable resources which are rich in carbohydrates either by biotechnological fermentation or chemical synthesis. Future potentials and economic impacts of biopolymers on packaging industry especially for food-packaging are discussed herein. © 2017 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.