Adding tiny shards of eggshell to bioplastic could create a first-of-its-kind biodegradable packaging material that bends but does not easily break, according to The American Chemical Society (ACS).
The global bioplastics production capacity is set to increase from around 1.7 million tonnes in 2014 to approximately 7.8 million tonnes in 2019, according to the European Bioplastics association.
Coca-Cola said earlier this month that biodegradable packaging is “simply not a viable option” but a new report suggests that other smaller drinks companies are beginning to take an interest.
As food and drink manufacturers continue to find new uses for bioplastics in their packaging, processor attitudes to innovation remain just as important as cost efficiency in regards to challenges facing the sector, says one industry group.
BASF is planning to significantly step up production of its
biodegradable plastic materials amidst growing demand from various
industries including packagers.
Alliances formed between Cargill and a Japan-based company, and
between DuPont and Plantic, indicate that a new strategy is
underway to expand the biodegradable packaging market.
Corn is the operative word in packaging today, with more and more
processors turning to biodegradable materials made from the crop
and other plants for packing their food products.
