Sustainable Polymers for Value Added and Functional Packaging

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

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