Biodegradable packagings for food industry are offered under license agreement

Increasing volumes of plastic wastes are one of the main environmental challenges the humanity has to face. The most common solution to stop plastic bags and similar garbage from polluting soils and waters has been to recycle them. Its effectiveness, however, depends on people segregating their wastes and the level of access to plastic recycling plants. It is a major drawback because one cannot count on the consumers' environment-conscious behaviour and the plants are not available worldwide, particularly in developing countries and rural areas. A research team from north-west Poland that specialises in packaging materials and systems has developed and is offering a better solution: disposable, biodegradable packagings, particularly suited for the food industry. They are made from paper-based materials, starch or a polymer derived from renewable resources (PLA, polylactide), with the addition of natural substances as coatings (i.e. organic salts, chitosan). The used materials are environment-friendly and, at the same time, make the packagings thicker, more flexible and give them great water resistance (better than the available solutions). Moreover, they have antibacterial properties. The packagings have been mainly tested on fish products and bread, but they can be used with any type of food. The scientists are interested in the industrial implementation of their technology, therefore they are offering a licensing agreement to food and packaging companies. The scientists are ready to adapt the technology for mass production and support implementation process. A role of partners will be to buy the license, provide all the information that is necessary to carry out modifications and to manufacture the packagings.