Process development for the production of an aqueous barrier coating based on biopolymers for the packaging industry

• funding program: ZIM-KF (BMWi)
• term: 01.10.2018 – 30.09.2020
• project partner: Adesiv GmbH

Initial position

Foods such as coffee, meat or processed foods are particularly sensitive to oxygen and are packed using barrier films. These are usually composite films with barrier layers. Usually, substances such as ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene chloride, silicon oxide or aluminum oxide are used for these barrier layers. Due to potential migration of harmful substances, there is a general trend to avoid synthetic materials and use natural materials instead. Furthermore, the use of organic solvents should be avoided to make the processing less harmful and more environmentally friendly.

Aim

A novel barrier coating for films based on vegetable polymers (such as proteins or carbohydrates) is to be developed, which has a barrier effect against oxygen and no harmful substances releases to the food.In order for this lacquer to adhere well to the films, to have a nationwide barrier effect and to be industrially processable, procedures, process conditions and suitable natural polymers or polymer blends must be determined. In particular, the modification of the proteins should play a role.

It is a novel barrier coating for films based on plant biopolymers  to be developed, which has a barrier effect against oxygen and no harmful substances releases to the food. To ensure a good adhesion of this varnish all over the films procedures, process conditions and suitable natural polymers or polymer mixtures must be determined. In particular, the modification of the proteins will play a role.

Results

The project is currently ongoing.