Agro-food derived biomass valorized in biobased coatings to be applied on metals, plastic, cellulose and textile substrates

Synopsis

The growth of the world economy and the rising global population (9 billion by 2050) mean that the Earth’s natural resources are being used up fast. Resources need to be managed more efficiently throughout their life cycle, from extraction, transport, transformation and consumption, to the disposal of waste. Several companies, and research entities have developed biobased polymer resins nevertheless further improvements are needed to provide cost effective solutions with high bio-based content and suitable performances to meet for example the target of the newly enforced laws that requires some disposable items such as tableware to be home compostable from 2017 with a minimum bio-sourced content of 30% (increasing progressively in subsequent years to 60% in 2025). The combined cellulose, plastic and food, health care sector form an important part of the EU economy, accounting for 15 million jobs (7.6% of total employment). Unlocking the innovation potential in the field of packaging, health care, cosmetics will significantly contribute to job creation and competitiveness as was developed in the ECOFUNCO project (GA No 837863) 2019-2022, “ECO sustainable multiFUNctional biobased COatings with enhanced performance and end of life options”, coordinated by INSTM. Cellulose and plastic substrates coated with either protein, cutin, chitin provided barrier to gas, moisture and anti-microbial properties and resulted suitable for application in packaging of perishable food, and anti-microbial non-tissue woven.

Natural polymers and functional molecules valuable for coating applications can be widely extracted from agro-food waste and most recently even valorization of emergent sources such as insects is being developed, as partly addressed in the running project RECOVER “Development of innovative biotic symbiosis for plastic biodegradation and synthesis to solve their end of life challenges in the agriculture and food industries”.

An overview of current solutions and ongoing research on natural and synthetic biobased polymers proposed for use in coating will be reported and critically analysed.

Acknowledgements

This research has received funding from the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 887648, project RECOVER “Development of innovative biotic symbiosis for plastic biodegradation and synthesis to solve their end of life challenges in the agriculture and food industries”.