Starch Based Bio-Plastics: The Future of Sustainable Packaging

Petroleum-derived plastics still dominate the food packaging industry . These materials have brought a lot of convenience and attraction to the agro, food, and packaging industries. However, they also have brought significant problems regarding the safe-disposal and renewability of these materials. 

Due to the growing concern over environmental problems, the interest has shifted towards the development and promoting the use of “bio-plastics”. Bio-plastic refers to sustainable packaging materials derived from renewable resources, i.e., produced from agro/food sources, materials such as starch, cellulose, etc., which are considered safe to be used in food applications. 

To enhance the mechanical properties, and water barrier properties, it can be blended easily with other polymers, as well as nanofillers. The current paper is a review of the progress of research in starch-based sustainable packaging materials.

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