Lead Users and Early Adoptors of Bioplastics: A Market-Led Approach to Innovative Food Packaging Films

Abstract

Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, ThailandFood quality and safety are major concerns in the food industry and bioplastics constitute an emerg-ing and innovative industrial segment which helps address these concerns. The bioplastics industryis characterized by new synergies and collaborations in the chemical, biotechnological and agricul-tural sectors, with antimicrobial packaging being one emerging technology that signi“cantly improvesfood safety. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the perceptions of stakeholders and leadusers of the adoption of innovative antimicrobial PLA “lms, the researchers conducted in-depthinterviews and used questionnaires. The target group for the study was the experts in the bio-basedmaterials and food industry. The effects of climate change mean that it is becoming increasinglyimportant for individuals to reduce their carbon footprints. Combining the concepts of bio-basedplastics with active packaging properties results an innovative product which is not only environ-mentally friendly, but also is attractive to consumers. Consequently, consumers may push for theuse of bio-based packaging materials as an alternative to materials produced from non-renewablesources. In this paper, we report on the factors that in”uence the commercialization of bioplastics bydescribing the use of innovative food packaging “lms in the processed meat industry as an exam-ple. Research on the role of stakeholders in the value chain, consumer demand for bioproducts,barriers to commercialization, supplier customer linkages, technology transfer, government policyand the acceptance of product premiums are all summarized herein.