Latex: the new word in eco-friendly food packaging?
latex is nearing its completion at the University of Karlstadt, in
Sweden. Coating packaging in the material is said to be an
eco-friendly alternative to the more traditional use of
polyethylene.
A research project to develop eco-friendly food packaging from latex is nearing its completion at the University of Karlstadt, in Sweden. Coating packaging in the material is said to be an eco-friendly alternative to the more traditional use of polyethylene.
Researcher Caisa Andersoon has been trying to create a better barrier against moisture and oxygen in food packaging. On 20 December she will submit her doctoral dissertation on the subject to Karlstadt university.
Latex has long been used for various types of surface treatment for paper. In recent years, interest has been focused on the polymer's characteristic of forming a protective coating on the surface of paper.
"Surface treatment is used to create a barrier against moisture in food packaging. I tested different coatings of paper with latex and find out which one yields the best results, and what characteristics the barrier layer has. The aim has been to understand what underlying factors determine how a good barrier is formed," said Andersson.
Coating of paper and cardboard with latex has several advantages compared with coatings of polyethylene, which has been the preferred coating material for food industry packaging until now. A latex film, on the other hand, renders the packaging simple to recycle or compost. Another advantage is that the package's seams can easily be fused shut without having to glue the edges.
Caisa Andersson is a member of a research team led by Professor Lars Järnström. She is one of 20 doctoral candidates involved in a Swedish network for surface treatment research. Besides Karlstad University, the network also includes the Luleå University of Technology and industry-based research institutes.
Andersoon's research work to investigate the interaction between polymers in dispersion coating and surface sizing of paper and board, will make her the first candidate to receive a doctorate at the Department of Chemistry, Karlstad University.
To find out more about this research project Caisa Andersson can be contacted at the email address Pnvfn.Naqreffba@xnh.fr.
