Brasil Pack Trends 2020

BrasilPackTrends2020 160 qual ity and new technologies In the package sector, some applications and functionalities of the nanotechnology have been developed, such as: • Improvement of the barrier properties (gas, aroma, water vapor and light) of plastic and cellulosic pa- ckages (through coating). • Improvement of mechanical properties (plastic and cellulosic materials). • Increase of thermal stability of thermoplastic poly- mers. • Improvement of adhesion and surface modification. • ncorporation of active compounds, especially anti- microbial and oxygen absorbers. • Production of nanosensors (of microorganisms and chemical contaminants) and relevant information in- dicators (smart packages). • Increase of biodegradability and compostability. • Increase of recyclability (additive to minimize the yellowing of recycled PET bottle by ColorMatrix – Joule RHB – Figure 6.27). • Production of packages with antistatic, antiadherent and autocleaning surfaces (repel humidity and dust and allow an easier removal of the packed product). • Traceability systems (time-temperature indicators – TTI and RFID tags based on printed eletronics, instead of silicon semiconductors, which allow the product to be monitored and tracked) and safety systems (safety paints, nanoscaled barcode: nano- barcode). Hence, the nanoscience and nanotechnology allow the development of processes and products that meet the requirements of the packaging sector in terms of energy and material reduction, more safety, quality and freshness of the products, more packages recyclability, reduction of solid waste, safety at the production and distribution, product identification and stock control. The development of nanosensors and nanoindicators is promising. It is in this field that most of the academic researches and investments of funding agencies are focused on. It is a sophisticated and technologically advanced field, including commercial application of smart paints, printed electronics and electronic tongue. FIGURE 6.27 Additive in nanometric scale improves the optical properties of recycled PET bottle Source: Press Release Nanotechnology applications in packages and distribution Besides increased mechanical resistance and barrier properties,the incorporation of nanomaterials in polymers and cellulosic materials rises the opportunity for package material reduction (downgauging or lightweighting) and price reduction, which ease the pressure caused by the issues as sustainability and cost. When the package physical and barrier properties can be kept with less material, there is energy reduction, non-renewable source material reduction and reduction of the packages carbon footprint. Lightweighting, downgauging