The Politecnico di Milano University, in collaboration with institutions in Finland, achieved a significant breakthrough in the development of sustainable materials that could revolutionize the packaging industry with the creation of a water-resistant paper.
This hydrophobic paper maintains biodegradability characteristics while rivaling plastic in resistance.
Nature-inspired Innovation
The research team at the “Giulio Natta” Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering significantly improved the paper properties by incorporating cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and peptide sequences.
The most surprising aspect of the development is that minimal amounts of peptides, less than 0.1%, are sufficient to significantly increase the material’s mechanical strength.
Dr. Elisa Marelli, a study co-author, explains that their supramolecular approach involved adding small peptide sequences that bind to the nanofibers, improving their mechanical performance and water resistance, without the need to chemically modify cellulose.
Promising Applications in Multiple Sectors
The main innovation in the study was the incorporation of fluorine atoms in the peptide sequences, which allowed creating a structured hydrophobic film on the material.
This modification provides greater water resistance while maintaining the biocompatible and sustainable characteristics of the paper.
Professor Pierangelo Metrangolo, a research co-author, emphasized that this advancement opens up new opportunities to create biomaterials that can compete with petroleum-derived materials in terms of performance.
Natural Alternative Packaging
Many companies are working on completely compostable packaging. Below are some examples already on the market.
Mushroom packaging: This compostable household product, which combines agricultural waste and mycelium roots (mushroom), is “grown” in a mixture of hemp flour and then dried to stop the growth process. It is most commonly used to replace polystyrene packaging.
Seaweed-based packaging available in edible and biodegradable grades.
In Poland, pressed hay is used as egg cartons.
Banana leaves: In Thailand, where the plastic issue is reaching critical proportions, a supermarket has chosen not to use plastic and uses banana leaf and bamboo packaging instead. And although banana leaves are only practical where readily available, this reinforces the idea of using local and compostable materials.
Cover photo: UNO
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