Bio Based Coatings for Packaging Paper Applications: A Brief Technology Review

Abstract

One of the oldest packaging materials is fiber cloth beside ceramic containers prior to the invention of paper. Hemp and cotton-based textiles were used to bag flour and other perishable products. Paper was first used as a writing material, because it was too valuable to be used as packaging material. Once paper could be produced on a larger scale it was used to protect and preserve goods, as well las ship items. Bio-based coatings may be advantageous due to their biodegradable nature and renewable sourcing. They can be manufactured from algae, bacterial produced cellulose, bees wax, nano cellulose, chitosan, carbon, proteins, poly lactic acid, and starch. Overall, bio-based coatings may offer a solution to replacing environmentally harmful coatings and or non-renewable oil-based coating in the future. Further research and extensive development is required to modify the today available bio-based coatings for their application beyond the research stage into commercial products that can replace currently used coatings in the paper, packaging and converting industry.