Natural-based coatings for food paper packaging

Commonly employed in food packaging, paper-based materials require barrier properties to guarantee food safety. If used in direct contact with food, packaging is usually produced with materials and processes that could compromise its recyclability. In order to search for more sustainable solutions, the researchers of CIPACK (Interdepartmental Centre for Packaging) developed some naturalbased coatings as barrier to oil and grease. The experiments conducted in the laboratories of Politecnico di Milano confirmed the good fatty repellence of the biopolymers-based treatments. After the tests, possible applications of the treatments have been investigated: compostable food containers represent a sustainable alternative to common packaging used for ready-to-eat meals or fast food. Based on scientific method and design process, this study is connected to Expo Milano 2015: the main themes of the exposition will be food safety, food security, and the quality for sustainable developments.