Application of Nanotechnology in Food Packaging

Nanocomposite has been considered as an emerging technology in developing a novel food packaging materials. Polymer nanocomposites exhibit markedly improved packaging properties due to their nanometer size dispersion. These improvements include increased barrier properties pertaining to gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, as well as to UV rays, and increased mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness, dimensional stability, and heat resistance. Additionally, biologically active ingredients can be added to impart the desired functional properties to the resulting packaging materials. New packaging materials created with this technology demonstrate an increased shelf life with maintaining high quality of the product. Nanotechnology offers big benefits for packaging. Nanocomposite technology paves the way for packaging innovation in the flexible and rigid packaging applications, offering enhanced properties such as greater barrier protection, increased shelf life and lighter-weight materials.