In the United Kingdom, researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed food packaging films based on plant carbohydrates and proteins. The films also extend the shelf-life of food and are edible.
Led by Professor Saffa Riffat of UN’s Faculty of Engineering, the project found that plant carbohydrates and proteins created a network structure in films. The structure endows mechanical strength and transparency, two key traits for food packaging films.
The initial market focus will be supermarkets and food chains, and the team plans on expanding into packaging for construction and delivery in the future.