Package Research Articles

This study investigates packaging papers produced from recycled wastepaper in terms of oil resistance and mechanical performance, especially for fast food applications. Five different polymers known for their compatibility with paper substrates and oil barrier properties were applied to the paper surface using a laboratory-scale size press. Oil resistance was evaluated using the TAPPI T559 kit test method, and mechanical strength was measured through standard tensile strength and SCT (short-span compression test) methods. Polymers D and E exhibited excellent oil barrier properties, with minimal permeation (4 mm) after 12 hours, while also maintaining strong SCT performance (up to 2.275 kN/m). In contrast, although polymers A and B were less effective in oil resistance, polymer A demonstrated outstanding tensile strength (2355 Nm/kg), making it a suitable option for applications requiring high mechanical strength. The findings suggest that polymers D and E are ideal for long-term barrier applications, whereas polymer A is more suitable where mechanical durability is prioritized. The study emphasizes the need for further research on polymer formulations, particularly bio-based and eco-friendly alternatives, to support the development of sustainable and high-performance paper-based packaging materials.

ABSTRACT The amount of packaging waste produced annually is an environmental issue and a growing concern among consumers. In response, some companies have switched to environmentally friendly packaging materials and are communicating this to their consumers. This study examines how packaging sounds and brand name speech sounds interact to influence perceptions of environmental friendliness in the context of auditory advertisements. Our results indicate that consumers can misidentify the sounds of materials commonly used in packaging but perceived to differ in environmental impact (e.g., paper, plastic). This misidentification can influence perceived environmental friendliness of packaging and, in turn, willingness to buy. Furthermore, our data indicate that auditory exposure to brand names with voiceless (vs. voiced) consonants moderates the relationship between packaging material sounds and material identification accuracy. This study's main contribution lies in recognizing the influence of sounds from packaging, brand names, and their interaction on consumers' perceived environmental friendliness and, consequently, on willingness to buy. For marketing managers, it highlights auditory modality's role in engaging consumers and promoting pro‐environmental initiatives in advertising strategies.

Silver-based electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs) are widely used in the connection, conduction, and packaging of electronic components. However, commercial ECAs typically contain more than 90 wt % Ag fillers, creating an urgent demand for low-Ag-content alternatives that maintain excellent performance. To address this issue, Ag with 3D structures has significant low-content and structural advantages in efficiently constructing 3D conductive networks in the ECAs system. Herein, three types of Ag-based fractal flowers with 3D branched structures (Ag FW-I, Ag FW-II, and Ag FW-III) were successfully synthesized using a novel, facile, and efficient chemical reduction method. The Ag FW-II particles served as the primary conductive framework, while Ag FW-I and Ag FW-III acted as auxiliary fillers, bridging gaps and connecting isolated regions. When the Ag FW-I, Ag FW-II, and Ag FW-III contents were optimized to 17.5, 50, and 12.5 wt %, respectively, the resulting ternary ECAs can deliver the lowest bulk resistivity of 1.15 × 10-4 Ω·cm and a high adhesion strength of 12.88 MPa. These Ag FWs-based ECAs demonstrate the best balance of conductivity and adhesion strength, offering a promising solution for the electronic packaging industry.

Dairy products may change their initial composition during storage and transportation. Microbial metabolism affects their sensory properties and reduces their shelf life. The article reviews the current technology and research aimed at increasing the shelf life of dairy products. The study included a comparative analysis of traditional dairy processing methods, such as heat treatment and pasteurization, as well as such innovative technologies as hydrostatic pressure, cold plasma, and pulsed electric fields. Conventional dairy processing methods and innovative technological solutions have various advantages and disadvantages. The storage stability of dairy products depends not only on the processing method but also on the additives, preservatives, bacteriocins, starter cultures, and packaging materials. Additives and preservatives increase the shelf life of fermented dairy products while bacteriocins and protective starter cultures improve the quality, extend the shelf life, and increase the competitiveness of domestic producers. Novel packaging materials preserve the quality of dairy products for a long time. Starter microflora also affects the shelf life of dairy products. Starters with low post-fermentative activity inhibit acid formation during production. The most urgent task that the national dairy industry has to solve is developing its own concentrated bacterial starters for fermented dairy products with low post-fermentation activity. The data obtained can be used to prevent and regulate post-fermentative processes in dairy production.

Humans are exposed to microplastics (MP) via ingesting contaminated fish, with a potential to cause adverse health effects such as oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, immunotoxicity, genotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. To our knowledge, this is the first report of microplastics in edible muscles of commercially traded marine fish in Pakistan. Pampus argenteus and Otolithes ruber were purchased from the fish market, and the entire gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and a small portion of muscle of P. argenteus and O. ruber were digested, filtered, dried and observed under a stereomicroscope to detect MPs in the laboratory. Fourier Transform Infrared analysis was performed to determine chemical composition. All GIT samples and 50% of the muscle samples had MPs; a total of 46 MPs were isolated. The predominant shape of MPs detected was fibers (76%), the predominant color was black (48%), and polymer types included polyamide (33.4%), polyethylene (11.1%), and polyethylene terephthalate (22.2%), which can be sourced back to the textile and packaging industry. This pilot study reports the microplastic contamination in the GIT and muscles of P. argenteus and O. ruber, thereby raising a food safety concern. Future studies are needed to assess the risk associated with MP exposure via ingesting contaminated fish and associated adverse health effects, which will set the ground for risk communication and risk mitigation.

The rising concern over environmental pollution caused by plastic waste has accelerated the search for sustainable alternatives. Bioplastics, produced from renewable resources, present a promising substitute to conventional petroleum-based plastics by offering biodegradability and reduced ecological impact. This study investigates the green synthesis and characterization of bioplastics prepared from natural biopolymers—gelatin and agar—blended with starch to improve their degradability. Glycerol was incorporated as a plasticizer to enhance flexibility and ensure the material remained fully biodegradable. The bioplastics were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify functional groups and analyze their chemical structures. FTIR confirmed the presence of characteristic groups such as O–H, C=O, and C–H, validating the polymeric framework of the synthesized materials. Biodegradability tests were performed through soil burial experiments, which monitored the decomposition of samples over a seven-day period. The results demonstrated that gelatin-based bioplastics exhibited the fastest rate of biodegradation, followed by agar–starch blends. These findings emphasize the potential of gelatin–agar–starch formulations as environmentally friendly materials with promising applications in packaging, biomedical devices, and other industries where sustainability is essential. However, challenges remain in enhancing durability, mechanical strength, and cost-efficiency for large-scale commercialization. Further research is necessary to optimize these parameters and make bioplastics a practical, competitive alternative to petroleum-derived plastics. Overall, the study highlights that bioplastics synthesized from natural polymers can serve as viable substitutes, providing both functionality and ecological benefits while addressing the urgent issue of plastic pollution.

Chitosan, a naturally derived polysaccharide with intriguing antimicrobial and polycationic properties, is highly desirable as a biosourced and biodegradable material for biomedical, food packaging, and personal care applications. Its inherent high levels of variability in molecular weight, dispersity, and degree of deacetylation, however, make the establishment of structure-property-processing relationships difficult and limit materials development. In this study, a novel methacrylate-based glycomonomer with saccharide structure similar to that of chitosan was synthesized and copolymerized with methyl methacrylate via reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization to create a series of well-defined chitosan mimics with controlled molecular weights and low dispersity (<1.1). Evaluation of mammalian cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus revealed performance similar to that of chitosan. The copolymers were used as models to evaluate difficult-to-probe interactions between chitosan and graphene oxide (GO) and elucidate mechanisms of mechanical property improvements observed in chitosan/GO nanocomposite films.

In this study, the electrospinning technique was employed to encapsulate mountain germander (MG) polyphenolic extract into pullulan/zein (PUL:ZE) delivery systems stabilized with sunflower lecithin. The rheological and physical properties of the pullulan (PUL), PUL:ZE, and zein (ZE) polymer solutions were evaluated to assess their electrospinnability potential. Fabricated nanofibers were then characterized for their morphology, physicochemical, and thermal properties, as well as encapsulation efficiency and simulated in vitro digestion. The elastic component of the polymer solution, quantified by the Deborah number, showed a strong correlation with nanofiber diameter (r = 0.75). FT-IR spectra confirmed the role of sunflower lecithin as a mediator in the formation of hydrogen and hydrophobic interactions among PUL, ZE, and polyphenols. The circular dichroism spectra confirmed the influence of the MG extract on the change in the secondary conformation of the protein structure. The PUL:ZE delivery matrix proved to be suitable for the retention of phenylethanoid glycosides (encapsulation efficiency &gt; 73%). The formulation 50PUL:50ZE was found to have the highest potential for prolonged release of polyphenols under gastrointestinal in vitro conditions. These findings propose a water-based electrospinning approach for designing polyphenolic delivery systems stabilized with lecithin for potential applications in active food packaging or nutraceutical products.

Abstract Sustainable bio-based packaging materials derived from natural resources offer significant potential to enhance the sustainability and environmental performance of packaged products through biodegradability, thereby reducing waste while maintaining product quality and safety. This study aimed to fabricate bio-based films containing poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), ethyl cellulose (EC), and lignin (L), and to evaluate their properties for potential packaging applications. Lignin was extracted from winery waste streams using two pretreatment methods: with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and with deep eutectic solvents (DES). Various blend ratios were selected to ensure homogeneous dispersion within the film matrix. NaOH-treated lignin was processed with ethylene glycol to form lignin particles, whereas DES-treated lignin was used as obtained. The blends were prepared using an oil-in-water Pickering emulsion approach to disperse lignin in PHB or PHB-EC matrices. The effects of the additives and their relationships with crystallinity, microstructure, thermal, and mechanical properties were investigated in detail. The properties of the blends were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and mechanical testing. Morphology was analyzed via confocal microscopy, and surface roughness was quantified using optical profilometry. The addition of lignin increased crystallinity by up to 37% (from 44.0% for pure PHB to 60.3% for PHB-8%L NaOH ), confirming its role as a nucleating agent. Ethyl cellulose reduced surface roughness by up to 92% (from 6.22 μm for PHB-2%L NaOH to 0.47 μm for PHB-EC-L DES -74:20:6), enhancing compatibility. However, the mechanical properties decreased, with tensile strength reduced by 29% (from 20.19 MPa for pure PHB to 14.30 MPa for PHB-EC-80:20) due to poor interfacial adhesion between PHB and lignin. Understanding the interactions between the PHB matrix and bio-additives through comprehensive property evaluation is critical for optimizing the processability of these films. The increasing adoption of bio-based materials for packaging offers environmental benefits, including reduced waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and accelerates the transition to a circular economy.

This study reports the development of chitosan-based (CS) films incorporating riboflavin (RF) as a natural photosensitizer to create sustainable, light-activated antimicrobial packaging materials. The films were prepared by solvent casting, and their photochemical behavior under blue LED light (450 nm) was investigated, including RF photodegradation kinetics and structural changes in the film-forming solution analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Mechanical, thermal, optical, and barrier properties were also characterized to assess packaging suitability. Upon illumination, CS/RF films generated reactive oxygen species, particularly singlet oxygen (1O2), leading to visible color changes and significant antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas fluorescens. Bacterial growth was reduced by up to 97% after 120 min of irradiation (0.92 J cm−2), with efficacy observed at both room temperature and 4 °C. The incorporation of RF did not alter the films’ mechanical properties, while thermal stability was preserved, optical transparency was modulated, and excellent oxygen barrier performance was maintained, although water vapor permeability remained moderate. These findings demonstrate that CS/RF films combine functionality and sustainability, offering a promising strategy for extending food shelf life through light-activated antimicrobial action. Validation under real storage conditions is recommended to confirm their potential in diverse food systems.

This study explains how packaging design and taste contribute to brand trust and, in turn, foster purchase decisions for tea-bag products in an urban digital market. Using a quantitative explanatory approach, data were collected from 125 consumers in DKI Jakarta through an online questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS 26 (multiple regression and mediation). The results show that packaging design makes a positive, significant contribution to brand trust, whereas taste does not exhibit a significant association with brand trust. In the purchase-decision model, both taste and brand trust are positively associated with purchase decisions, while packaging design does not exhibit a direct association. Nevertheless, packaging design demonstrates a significant indirect pathway to purchase decisions through brand trust (Sobel Z = 2.807; p = 0.005). Model fit indicates moderate explanatory power (Adjusted R² = 0.283 for brand trust; Adjusted R² = 0.350 for purchase decisions). These findings position brand trust as a psychological bridge connecting visual perceptions of packaging with actual purchasing behavior, while taste operates primarily as a functional driver of the decision itself. Practically, firms should invest in coherent, informative, and aesthetic packaging to cultivate trust, while maintaining consistent taste quality to sustain repeat purchases in competitive digital channels.

The culinary MSME sector in Desa Prima Gayatri, Bangunjiwo, Kasihan, Bantul, Yogyakarta Special Region, faces challenges due to unappealing packaging designs, resulting in low consumer interest and limited product competitiveness. This issue arises from the lack of understanding and digital design skills among business owners in creating professional packaging. This community service program aims to train MSME owners to design their product packaging independently using free digital platforms. The smart packaging design approach was implemented to enhance packaging aesthetics, strengthen branding, and increase product value. The training was conducted systematically through several stages, including a needs assessment survey, module development, theoretical and practical training sessions, and evaluation through questionnaires and post-training monitoring. The evaluation results showed a significant improvement in participants' abilities. Based on data from 22 respondents, digital design skills increased by 81%, with an average score of 4.45 out of 5. Participant satisfaction with the training materials and methods was also high, with an average score of 4.59, and 95.45% of participants agreed that the training effectively addressed their challenges. Participants successfully created new packaging designs that were more attractive and professional, enhancing product image and consumer interest.

One approach to mitigating plastic pollution is the development of biodegradable plastic materials, such as bioplastics. Bioplastics are packaging materials that can be naturally degraded by microorganisms. In this study, bioplastics were produced using natural polymer compounds, specifically carrageenan and starch. The combination of starch and carrageenan was investigated to develop bioplastic packaging (shopping bags) with improved properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporating different types of starch (corn, sago, and cassava) into carrageenan-based bioplastics on their physicochemical and mechanical characteristics. The research involved the fabrication of bioplastics using a combination of carrageenan and various starches (corn, sago, and cassava), followed by characterization, including moisture content, thickness, tensile strength, elongation at break, functional group analysis using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and surface morphology analysis using scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS). Additionally, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and biodegradation tests were conducted following the ASTM G21 standard. The results indicated that starch variation did not significantly affect the mechanical properties, morphology, or biodegradation characteristics of the carrageenan–starch bioplastics.

Food packaging helps in labeling, transport, preservation, and the safety of food. Safety is especially critical in processing foods for vulnerable populations like infants/children, individuals with medical conditions, and older adults. These groups frequently rely on specialized nutrition products, including foods regulated in the United States (US) as infant formulas, medical foods, and foods for special dietary use (FSDU). As US states set post-consumer recycled (PCR) content mandates for product packaging, newer technologies like advanced recycling are essential to meet developing demands for recycled and sustainable packaging materials for specialized nutrition products. Also, advanced recycling must be fully supported in sustainability policies to ensure an adequate and safe recycled packaging supply. However, these urgent needs may not be well-recognized or understood. A literature search to identify scientific publications produced during the last 25 years found few papers specific to the packaging of specialized nutrition products and advanced recycling. Understanding emerging trends in safe food packaging materials, recycling, and sustainability policies is essential for maintaining access to specialized nutrition products in the US. This Perspective makes the case for advanced recycling as a path to safe, more sustainable food packaging for US specialized nutrition products and describes opportunities for strengthening the advanced recycling policy framework.

The low level of cassava processing in rural areas of Central Kalimantan has led to untapped local economic potential. This community service activity aims to empower housewives in Rabauh Village by enhancing their skills in production, packaging, branding, and digital marketing of cassava-based processed products. The program was implemented by students of the University of Palangka Raya during the Regular Community Service (KKN) Period I in 2025 (July 16–August 18, 2025), involving 25 participants, most of whom were active housewives engaged in the Family Welfare Empowerment (PKK) program. A Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach was applied to ensure participants’ active involvement in every stage of the activity, from needs identification and training to evaluation. The training focused on producing hygienic cassava chips with various flavors, creating simple product labels and packaging, and promoting products through social media. The results showed that 84% of participants improved their technical production skills, and 88% experienced socio-economic benefits through increased income and self-confidence in entrepreneurship. In addition to producing signature products such as “Spicy Sweet Cassava Chips with Kaffir Lime Leaves,” the activity also increased participants’ awareness of the importance of digitalization for micro-enterprises. Overall, the SIBER program made a tangible contribution to enhancing rural women’s economic capacity, fostering local food innovation, and serving as a sustainable empowerment model based on regional food potential in Central Kalimantan.

Microbial contamination and plastic packaging pose significant health and environmental risks and are nonrecyclable. Biomaterials are gaining popularity in food packaging due to their biodegradability, renewability, and eco-friendly nature. Therefore, zinc oxide-chitosan-based nanocomposite (ZnOCh) films were synthesised in this study as a biodegradable food packaging material. Three composite films were prepared, containing different concentrations of nanoparticles (1%, 2%, and 3% wt) and pure chitosan. Ultraviolet-visible and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray, and scanning electron microscopy were used for characterisation. The films were also characterised for their biodegradability and ability to enhance the shelf life of chicken meat. Two bacterial strains were isolated from chicken meat and identified: SHA as Klebsiella pneumoniae (PQ313102) and SHC as Serratia marcescens (PQ312920). The appearance of a peak at 370 nm in UV-visible spectra confirms the formation of zinc oxide nanoparticles. The SEM revealed a smooth surface of ZnOCh film with scattered nanoparticles, while degraded film showed less scattering and a rougher surface. The formation of peaks at 432 and 471 cm-1 in FTIR spectra confirmed the incorporation of ZnO, attributed to Zn-O stretching vibrations. ZnOCh 1% showed statistically significant degradation (96.50% ± 0.56%) after 14 days, and these films also showed promising results in increasing the shelf life of meat after 12 days of storage at 4°C. ZnOCh films showed significantly high (p ≤ 0.000) antibacterial activity (upto 19.6 ± 0.4 mm inhibition zone) against both erythromycin-resistant bacterial strains. Based on these results, this study suggests that ZnOCh films could be an alternative to plastic food packaging materials.

In 2021, archeologists found that a bronze mirror was wrapped with a yellow-green fiber sheet in the Western Han tomb M68 in the Dabuzi Cemetery in Xi’an, China. To ascertain the composition and function, a scanning electronic microscopy–energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) were combined for the morphology and components’ analysis. The results showed that the surface of the yellow-green fiber sheet was very rough without curtain patterns, and the fiber was disorderly intertwined. The paper was quite thick with various thicknesses (the average thickness was 0.58 mm) and the average diameter of the fiber was 20.71 μm. There were obvious transverse joint stripes on the fiber cell with longitudinal stripes characteristic of ramie or hemp. The main ingredients were cellulose, semi-cellulose, and lignin. Based on the above comprehensive joint experiments, the yellow-green fiber sheet in M68 was presumably ancient hemp paper made with the fixed-mold method. Moreover, it was speculated to be a package material since no characters were found. This paper is of great significance for studying the Chinese fixed-mold paper-making technique and for understanding the origins and developmental trajectory of ancient paper-making technology.

Abstract Driven by the urgent need to identify sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastic packaging, this study evaluates the environmental performance of mycelium bio-foam (MBF) as a substitute for expanded polystyrene (EPS) in protecting a 32-inch flat-screen television (32-TV). A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted using OpenLCA software and the ELCD database to compare the impacts of MBF and EPS. The results indicate that MBF packaging offers lower environmental impacts overall, particularly during raw material acquisition, manufacturing, and end-of-life management stages. Global warming potential (GWP) (kg CO2 eq) for MBF50, MBF100, and MBF150 was 1.32, 2.16, and 3.24, respectively, significantly lower than EPS at 3.35 kg CO2 eq. Similarly, human non-carcinogenic toxicity (kg 1,4-DCB) values were 4.3, 6.2, and 9.3 for MBF variants, compared to 9.3 for EPS. In the transportation phase, MBF incurred higher global warming impacts (0.9 × 10–3 to 2.8 × 10–3 kg CO2 eq) than EPS (0.4 × 10–3 kg CO2 eq) due to its higher weight. However, these emissions are offset by MBF’s biodegradability and potential for circularity. The findings underscore the importance of optimizing MBF packaging weight and design to enhance both environmental and economic viability. MBF emerges as a promising sustainable alternative to EPS, though continued innovation in material engineering and packaging design remains essential. Promoting the environmental benefits and cost-effectiveness of MBF packaging is key to accelerating its market adoption. Graphical abstract

Globally, Indonesia is the second largest generator of unmanaged plastic waste. The Indonesian government aims for a reduction of plastic waste of 70% by 2025. One of the main contributors to the problem is packaging waste of fast food restaurants. In this paper the packaging waste of twelve fast food chains in Semarang (Java) is analysed, and its environmental impact assessed by calculating plastic and carbon footprints in the period of 2019-2022. For each chain, between 30-100% of the restaurants in Semarang are included in the research, representing a sample of half the locations. Subsequently, five possible solutions, taken from the 10R circularity model, are discussed, showing that the options ‘recycling’ and ‘waste-to-energy’ are most feasible. Also, it is found that return rates are lagging behind, so the collection system should be improved to create economies of scale and to minimize volumes of unmanaged waste. Also, ‘reduce’ is a good scenario, volume wise it has less impact yet it has no disadvantages and may create awareness amongst consumers. ‘Renew’ may contribute to recycling by changing material composition of the packaging. ‘Reuse’ is not recommended as cleaning causes high carbon footprints. The other five Rs were not applicable in this case. Issues for further research include obtaining better data on packaging plastics volumes as sources are inconsistent, exploring options to improve collection and to avoid competition between recycling and waste to energy. It is finally concluded that reducing plastic waste from fast food chains can significantly contribute to reducing marine litter.

Polyurethanes (PU) are considered promising candidates for advanced flexible elastomers due to their tunable softness and hardness, making it suitable for applications such as flexible electronic packaging. However, obtaining PU elastomers with excellent softness and toughness at the same time requires extensive and complex molecular chain structure design, which is a significant challenge. To address this challenge, a simple dynamic hot pressing (DHP) strategy is proposed to increase energy injection, molecular disentanglement, and enhance hydrogen bonding. The cyclic interval time in the DHP0 process matches the characteristic relaxation time of the molecular chains, playing a crucial role in enhancing the softness, stretchability, and mobility of the elastomer. Using this straightforward DHP approach, we successfully fabricated a DHP elastomer with a 3.9-fold increase in toughness (32.13MJ m-3) compared to the untreated PU elastomer. Notably, this toughness enhancement is accompanied by excellent softness (1.13MPa of Young's modulus), ultrahigh stretchability (2551.3 %), and effective energy dissipation. This advanced DHP process fills a critical gap in PU final synthesis treatment research and is expected to accelerate the development of the synthesis of highly flexible hydrogen-bonded amorphous polymers for large-scale mass production.