Trends and Innovations in Polymer Packaging Materials

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid evolution of packaging technologies has intensified the demand for advanced polymeric materials that combine functionality, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. This Special Issue, Trends and Innovations in Polymer Packaging Materials, aims to present recent innovations in polymer science that address emerging challenges in food safety, product protection, waste reduction, and circular economy strategies. Contributions should focus on the development, characterization, and application of novel polymers, polymer blends, composites, and bio-based alternatives engineered to improve key material properties, including mechanical strength, barrier performance, thermal stability, biodegradability, and recyclability.

In addition, for this Special Issue, studies on stimuli-responsive materials, smart and active packaging systems that improve shelf-life and product quality are welcome. Research addressing the environmental impact of polymeric packaging—such as recycling technologies, life-cycle assessment, and upcycling of industrial or agricultural waste into high-value polymer materials—is also highly encouraged.

By bringing together interdisciplinary research and industrial practice, this Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge polymer innovations that will shape the future of packaging. I hope this Special Issue will encourage researchers to contribute to the advancement of fundamental and applied knowledge on innovative polymer materials and technologies that are shaping the future of packaging applications.

Dr. Pinar Terzioglu
Guest Editor

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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.