The Biomat group at the Polytechnic University School of the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country has developed renewable, biodegradable polymer container for both liquid and solid oily products.

Developed from agro-industrial by-products, these containers claim to enhance the properties of materials and reduce costs.

These containers are transparent and are said to provide good barrier properties against ultraviolet light and gases like oxygen.

While multilayer laminates are generally used as a barrier against gases, the product developed by the group comprises one layer which helps in reducing the cost of production. It can also be thermally sealed and can be printed on.

This new packaging helps in the maintenance and improvement of the quality of the food products. It also helps in extending the life of the food by controlling the permeation phenomena either through barrier materials or retaining harmful substances and incorporation of beneficial substances for the packaged food.

Researcher in renewable materials engineering at the Polytechnic University School of the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country Pedro Guerrero was quoted by the Bioplastics magazine as saying: "In the specific case of the deterioration of the food owing to oxidation reactions, you have to bear in mind that this is a reaction started by free radicals that progress very rapidly, and this makes it difficult to control."

Guerrero also added that to delay or inhibit this reaction, it is possible to use various strategies that act directly on the oxygen or on the species capable of reacting with it.

"In the first case, it is possible to prevent gas entering from the outside by means of barrier materials; in the second case, it is possible to resort to the adding of antioxidants, either inside the container on in the container itself.

"The demand by consumers for products that do not contain synthetic chemical compounds has led to a growing interest displayed by the food industry in the development of active containers with natural additives."

The Biomat group has also produced a container with natural antioxidant agents for full-fat, fat or semi-fat cheese and cheese portions which also help the products to last longer and reduce food wastage.

Image: The group has produced a biodegradable container for different kinds of cheese. Photo: courtesy of Bioplastics Magazine.