Biobased Lightweight Sandwich Structures for Packaging Applications
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Biological Sciences
Abstract
This project will develop new lightweight, high performance packaging trays for the retail sector suitable for use across a broad range of fresh and frozen food produce. Lightweighting will be achieved by development of a sandwich structure comprising a very low density, starch derived, fibre reinforced foam core which is afforded strength by lamination with a highmodulus protein derived thermoplastic. The resulting structure will be entirely bio-based and formed from starting materials which are commercially available. A combination of innovative foaming methods, fast cycle time and low price of starting raw materials indicate that these materials will be both cost and performance competitive with their synthetic counterparts immediately.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Richard Murphy (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Richard MURPHY
(2011)
LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT (LCA) OF BIO-BASED PRODUCTS: A PERSPECTIVE
Richard Murphy
(2011)
Assessing optimum biomass composition for the production of bioenergy and biomaterials
Description | Lightweight composites can be made from various bio-based materials such as starches, Poly0hydroxy butyrate valereate (PHBV) etc and can provide environmental impact benefits compared with petrochemical alternatives. As part of the materials and packaging development elements of this collaborative programme we have conducted a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental profile of the bio-polymers vs petrochemical alternatives. |
Exploitation Route | The results of the project indicate environmental benefits in fossil energy savings over petrochemical-polymers. Further work on selection feedstocks for bio-polymer production will benefit the biopolymer environmental profiles fro future production. |
Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
URL | http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2012/gc/c2gc36546d#!divAbstract |
Description | The industrial partners have developed further knowledge on the opportunities and constraints (largely economic) for selection of biopolymer packaging systems. |
First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Retail |
Impact Types | Economic |