Innovative Techniques in Biodegradable Packaging for the F&B Industry

Insulated food containers that preserve food quality, stack well, have audible snap closures, and are compostable. The containers have a base and cover that snap together with protrusions and recesses. The base and cover have angled sides that form an interference fit. When the cover is removed, the interference snaps the protrusions into the recesses with an audible snap. The containers are insulating, stackable, and made from compostable materials. The containers can be used for transporting and cooking food without sogginess or leaks.

Porous wet natural foaming gel soft material for transportation of fresh food that provides high humidity, cushioning, and minimal damage to delicate items. The material is made from natural ingredients like starch, protein, and alginate. It has a water content of over 90% and forms a soft, spongy gel. The high water content allows it to maintain a humid environment for fresh produce during transport. The gel also has good cushioning properties to prevent damage to delicate items like fruits and fish. The material is prepared by foaming a starch-protein solution with an alginate compound, then crosslinking it. The gel has properties like low friction, high elasticity, and good thermal insulation. It can replace air-dried packaging materials for fresh food transportation as it provides the required humidity and cushioning without gaps or damage.

A compostable food container, especially for pizza, that overcomes limitations of existing containers in terms of preserving food quality, facilitating transportation, being reusable, and being suitable for heating and storage. The container has a unique shape with an inner compartment that conforms to the pizza's shape, preventing the pizza from sliding around. The container is also made of biodegradable materials. The design allows reuse, heating in ovens/microwaves, and storage in refrigerators/freezers. It is compostable and avoids issues like paper containers leaching toxic chemicals into food.

Biodegradable microwave susceptor for cooking food items in a microwave oven using biodegradable materials. The susceptor is made by laminating a metallized biodegradable film (like cellophane) with a metallic layer. The metallized areas provide microwave absorption while unmetallized areas prevent overheating. This allows targeted heating and browning of food without contaminating it with non-biodegradable plastics. The biodegradable susceptor can be incorporated into microwavable food packaging to replace conventional non-biodegradable microwave susceptors.

A casing for protecting food and beverage products that provides airtight storage while still allowing easy dispensing. The casing has a side panel part with sealing margins that overlap and are sealed to form flanges extending outward. A band surrounds the flanges and is also sealed. This creates a tight seal around the product inside. The band can have features like notches, pre-cuts, and opening systems. The casing can be made by sealing the band to the side panels in steps. The flanges provide an airtight seal and the outward extension prevents collapsing.

A natural food coating using rosemary extract as an alternative to plastic wraps and other synthetic coatings. The coating solution is made by infusing rosemary leaves to extract compounds like carnosol, carnosic acid, and rosmarinic acid. These antioxidant-rich extracts are then combined with other ingredients like calcium chloride, vitamin E, ascorbic acid, glycerol, and carrageenan to create a viscous coating solution. This natural coating adheres to food surfaces and can be used to preserve and protect food without synthetic wraps.

Biodegradable and sustainable bottle for liquids that addresses the issues of cost, performance, and environmental impact compared to conventional petroleum-based plastic bottles. The bottle is made from biodegradable bioplastic for the neck section and thermoformed pulp for the shoulder and body sections. This allows using stronger bioplastic for the critical neck sealing area while leveraging the strength of pulp for the rest of the bottle. The bottle can be made from biodegradable materials that are sustainable and can biodegrade after use. The bottle can have a biodegradable lining and a biodegradable cap made from the same material as the neck section. The bottle can be used for storing and consuming liquids like beverages or inedible products.

Method to render cellulosic materials like paper more hydrophobic and oleophobic without sacrificing biodegradability or recyclability. The method involves treating cellulosic materials with saccharide fatty acid esters (SFAEs) that bind directly to cellulose. This provides increased hydrophobicity/oleophobicity while maintaining biodegradability/recyclability. The SFAEs can be applied to cellulose fibers or preformed materials. The binding reaction can be done at elevated temperatures, using radiation, catalysts, or a combination. The SFAEs are present in sufficient concentration to cause contact angles over 90 degrees or significant force of rupture resistance when wet.

Biodegradable food container with reduced plastic content that can be used for liquid foods and is recyclable or biodegradable. The container has an inner layer made of biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and an outer layer made of cellulosic fibers like paper. This allows separating and recycling/biodegrading the inner PHA layer after use while keeping the outer paper layer. The inner PHA layer provides barrier properties for liquid containment, while the outer cellulosic layer provides strength and hand holding. The container can be produced by laminating the PHA and cellulosic layers.

A method and apparatus for manufacturing biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable food packaging that is impermeable, rigid, and can withstand high temperatures. The packaging is made by coating a shapeable biodegradable material like fibrous plant material with a biopolymer. The shapeable material is formed into the final packaging shape, then coated with the biopolymer. The coating is applied using a spray system with separate air supplies for atomization and distribution. This allows precise control of coating thickness. The coated packaging is then dried.

Spray coating fiber-based food packaging to improve barrier properties like oil, moisture, and vapor transmission. The coating is applied using specialized spray systems with nozzles configured to cover specific areas like bottoms and sidewalls. The coating chemistry includes additives like alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) for moisture barrier, fluorocarbon emulsions for oil barrier, and retention aids. This allows fiber containers to replace plastics in food applications without compromising performance.

Biodegradable food packaging made from a moulded fiber matrix containing biodegradable aliphatic polyesters, with a biodegradable multi-layer on the inside surface. The multi-layer has layers of biodegradable materials, like aliphatic polyesters, vinyl alcohol polymers, and biodegradable adhesives, to provide barrier, sealing, and strength properties. The fiber matrix and multi-layer are crosslinked to improve strength and barrier performance. The packaging has low non-fiber content, less than 25 wt%, to enhance biodegradability.

Vacuum molded fiber containers for food applications that replace single-use plastics while maintaining performance. The containers have barrier coatings applied to selective surfaces using spray systems. The coatings can be embedded in the molded fiber or applied as topical films. They mitigate transmission of water, oil, and vapor through the containers. The coatings contain chemicals like alginates, acrylic polymers, and calcium carbonate to provide barriers. The coatings are optimized for specific applications like microwavable containers, meat trays, and frozen food.

Compostable material for packaging food products, particularly capsules for dispensing coffee. The material comprises a coffee-based granular material and a binding agent like methylcellulose or derivatives. This provides a compostable capsule that can be disposed in wet waste after use. The coffee-methylcellulose combination offers better compostability, resistance, and migration properties compared to using alginate or glycerol.

Edible fruit and vegetable laminates that can be used as encapsulation material for ready-to-cook meals and snacks. The laminates are made of dried fruits or vegetables held together by natural adhesives like plant resins or mucilages. The laminates have controlled disintegration properties, allowing them to withstand storage but break down during cooking. They provide a natural, healthy alternative to synthetic packaging materials. The laminates can be molded into desired shapes and used to encapsulate dry food ingredients like grains, nuts, or seeds to make ready-to-cook meals that cook in minutes by hydrating the laminate.

Naturally degradable vacuum-sealable plastic bags that can decompose in the environment after use. The bags have layers made from film materials containing a prodegradant additive like D2W, along with regular polyethylene. The prodegradant enhances biodegradation of the bags when exposed to certain conditions like heat and UV. The bags can store food and seal vacuum-tight. The prodegradant amount is 5% of the polyethylene. The bags are made by co-extrusion, casting, blowing, and molding the film layers.

Biodegradable packaging for food products that provides sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic packaging. The packaging is made from a multi-layer structure containing biodegradable materials like biodegradable polyesters and biodegradable films. The layers include an inner cover layer, intermediate layers, a functional layer, and an outer cover layer. This provides barrier properties like oxygen and grease resistance. The packaging can be manufactured by co-extruding the layers onto a food contact surface of a molded fiber product. The biodegradable layers are fused and crosslinked to the molded fiber for strength and barrier properties. This allows a compostable and sustainable packaging that can replace conventional plastic packaging.

Barrier material for packaging applications that has high oxygen and water vapor barrier properties while being biodegradable. The barrier material has a base material coated with a resin layer containing a biodegradable resin. The resin layer provides the gas and moisture barrier properties. The biodegradability comes from using bio-derived resins instead of petroleum-based ones. The biodegradable barrier material can be used in packaging applications like bags, containers, and paper products to reduce environmental impact compared to traditional packaging materials.

Biodegradable and compostable packaging film for fresh produce that allows extended shelf life without the use of synthetic plastics. The film has controlled oxygen and water vapor permeability through apertures. The apertures expel carbon dioxide while allowing oxygen to enter, maintaining optimal respiration levels for fresh produce. The biodegradable film also prevents excessive moisture loss. The film's gas exchange properties are optimized for specific produce types to maximize shelf life.

A recyclable and biodegradable food container that overcomes the issues of traditional plastic containers. The container is made of a recyclable and/or biodegradable material for the outer layer and a gas-tight inner layer. It has foldable flaps that connect the sides to the base. The container is formed by partially folding the sides and base panels. This allows the container to be stackable, compact, and made of less material compared to traditional trays. The foldable design also allows the container to be heat-sealed shut using existing equipment. The container can have windows and covers.