IFFA 2019

••• 15••• Innovationen State-of-the-art antimicrobial packaging Safer food, less waste: scientists develope solutions for perishable foods based on natural nanomaterials T he EU joint project “Nano- Pack” aims to develop state- of-the-art antimicrobial packag- ing solutions for perishable foods based on natural nanomaterials in order to prevent outbreaks of food-borne diseases and reduce food waste due to early spoilage. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) for use in food packaging are being investigated as the basis for de- veloping the new packaging so- lutions in the NanoPack project. By modifying the surface of this nanomaterial, essential oils such as thyme oil can be efficiently re- leased integrated into a packaging film. The essential oils released as steam reduce the growth of mi- crobes both on the product sur- face and in the packaging room. The scientists at Fraunhofer IAP play a leading role in the develop- ment of treatment processes and the surface functionalisation of HNTs as well as in compounding, i.e. the integration of particles – loaded HNTs – in polymer films. In the production of thin, trans- parent layers, such as in packag- ing films, in-line process control can contribute to quality assur- ance and improvement and ex- pensive material components can be used efficiently. Through com- plete monitoring, the manufac- turing process can be optimised in such a way that only as much of a functional component is used as is necessary for its function, which can lead to considerable material and cost savings. Fluorescent dyes are used as addi- tives in the functional layer in order to measure the distribution of the layer thicknesses by measuring the fluorescent light. The dye is add- ed to the coating material in such small quantities that it is not visible and the material properties are not affected. By combining novel pack- aging materials with effective pro- cess control, scientists aim to make future food packaging safer and at the same time cheaper. The sci- entists at Fraunhofer IGB are also working on processes for function- alising packaging films. In order to be able to produce the widest pos- sible range of surface properties, IGB is pursuing the approach of functionalising polymer films using plasma/CVD and wet-chemical pro- cesses – or combinations of these technologies. 1.25 metre wide film substrate on the roll-to-roll coating line atmoFlex 1250 Photo: Fraunhofer FEP, Ronald Bonss Proud partners: 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN PROVIDING SUPERIOR PACKAGING SOLUTIONS Please visit REPAK at Hall: 11.0 · Stand: C49 Phileas Foggstraat 20a 7821 AK Emmen · The Netherlands Tel. 31 591 668010 · info@repak.nl