A team of researchers from Lithuania have created biodegradable plastic for food packaging. Credit: Kaunas University of Technology.

A team of researchers from the Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) in Lithuania have created a biodegradable plastic for packaging.

The biodegradable plastic, which takes two years to disintegrate with the help of microorganisms, is transparent and suitable for food packaging.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

KTU lead researcher Dr Paulius Pavelas Danilovas said: “We are used to getting sandwiches, snacks, pastries, sweets and many other products in a paper bag with a plastic window.

“With a clear window on the front face, the products in the bag can be viewed easily. Although paper is biologically degradable, it is complicated to separate paper from plastic, and the package is considered non-recyclable and non-compostable.

“However, if we made the window from biodegradable plastic, it could be composted. Moreover, we could even use the bag for collecting biodegradable waste and put all into the compost bin together.

“There are plenty of microorganisms in compost and they digest our plastic very well.”

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The researchers created the bioplastic at KTU laboratories using cellulose, which is a natural material usually derived from timber.

Cellulose is the main building block of plant cells’ membranes and also the most commonly found biopolymer.

Danilovas added: “Usually, to become fluid, plastic needs to be heated. However, if you heat paper (which is also based on cellulose) it will not only not become liquid, but will also burn.

“We are excited to have found composites, which not only allow cellulose to turn into fluid condition but also are non-toxic, which is very important in all products related to food handling.”

Danilovas noted that the environmentally friendly biodegradable packaging is expensive.