Food contact coated recycled cellulose trays

Topic: Development of sustainable solutions for food packaging.

Sector: Food

The aim is to develop a recyclable and compostable food-safe packaging made from recycled cellulose, with a bio-based coating as an alternative to traditional multi-layer films. To this end, the company SOLIDUS, which develops trays from recycled cellulose, has been contacted. CNTA will research the development of coatings/films based on bio-based polymers.

Challenges/barriers/needs/problems: Development of coatings that can be applied in dispersion and/or laminated films with cellulose material.

Development of coatings/films with advanced properties (barrier to gases, water, oils, industrial applicability, etc.).

Development of food-safe packaging (migration).

Development of economically viable, food-safe packaging (similar to traditional packaging).

CNTA could participate in two areas:

1. Partner in a project on sustainable materials, with the role of validating the material for food on a pilot scale;

2. Partner/Promoter of a sustainable materials project, with the role of developing coatings for cellulosic materials or compostable plastics, or developing edible or compostable biopolymers.

Partner needs for consortium formation

- Partner with the capacity to industrially apply the coating (dispersion) to paper/cardboard.

- Food company – end user (could be useful, but if not, CNTA could handle validation in different food matrices)

- Other partners could be included that provide other solutions (coatings, films, active ingredients, etc.) that provide this functional barrier with advanced properties to the cellulosic material.