Shellac-based nanocomposite coating improves barrier and surface resistance performance of pulp-based food packaging materials. (Credit: Prof Nattakan Soykeabkaew)
Researchers at the School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand and the School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, U.K., have developed a shellac-based coating to improve the gas barrier properties of a recyclable, compostable and sustainably sourced packaging material to make it suitable for instant, dehydrated, frozen and chilled foods. According to an article on phys.org, a molded pulp was coated with a nanocomposite layer consisting of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and shellac to improve its barrier and surface resistance performance. The researchers reported water vapor and oxygen transmission rates in the same range as those of conventional food packaging materials such as low-density polyethylene, oriented polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Testing of the water contact angle, oil contact angle and oil absorption rate also indicated that the nanocomposite coating layer provided superior water resistance and a promising greaseproof surface to the molded pulp sheet. Also, the samples are set to achieve good thermal stability (ca 250 °C) after introducing the shellac layer with lower thermal degradation temperature, confirming its practical uses for packaging applications.
Shellac-based nanocomposite coating improves barrier and surface resistance performance of pulp-based food packaging materials. (Credit: Prof Nattakan Soykeabkaew)
