Researchers develop sustainable food packaging from waste

Researchers are developing new methods to transform waste materials into functional, sustainable food packaging.

A team at Saitama University has successfully upcycled polyamide microplastics into carbon quantum dots (CQDs) using a hydrothermal carbonisation method. When incorporated into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrices, these CQDs create transparent, flexible, and UV-blocking composite films. This process aims to address microplastic pollution while providing protection for photosensitive products like dairy, oils, and pharmaceuticals.

In Oman, scientists at the University of Nizwa are utilizing agricultural residue from the date industry. By recovering microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from date seeds, researchers have developed biodegradable films. The recovered MCC serves as a functional filler that improves the physical and structural properties of the films, including enhanced water resistance on the surface.