Brasil Pack Trends 2020

BrasilPackTrends2020 164 qual ity and new technologies or accelerate compostability and biodegradability (ROBINSON; MORRISON, 2010). The company Rohm and Hass sells an acrylic nanoparticle (Paraloid BPM- 500) to increase the PLA (polylactic acid) resistance, a compostable polymer. The company StoraEnso significantly stepped onto the innovation of renewable source materials, investing in a plant in Finland to manufacture a new nanomaterial, the microfibrillated cellulose, which will allow the weight reduction in paperboard packages, and improvement of the barrier properties. Edible coatings from biopolymers applied to food and pharmaceuticals have been studied even at Brazilian universities and they can be used to preserve fresh fruits and vegetables, including the ones minimally processed, dried fruits, cheeses, meat products and other food. They can be formulated to provide a barrier to humidity, gases and have further functionalities, to be a vehicle to enzyme, antioxidants, aroma and pigments, working as an active coating. Carbohydrates (starch, cellulose) and proteins (zein, casein, gelatin, collagen) based coatings combined with nanoclays have their mechanical and barrier properties improved and can be used as a vehicle for other active agents aiming at functionality. The companies involved with the commercialization of raw material produced with nanotechnology are only a few and can be divided in two groups: plastic resins manufacturers (DuPont, Bayer, Honeywell, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical) and additives and fillers manufacturers for the plastics industry (Southern Clay Products, Nanocor, ColorMatrix, LANXESS). Nanocor have partnerships with companies that produce plastic resins that use nanoclay (Nanomer) in their products, including Honeywell (Aegis), Nylon Corporation of America (nanoTUFF and nanoSEAL) and ColorMatrix Corporation (Imperm). There is little collaboration among them and they do not share the high development costs. There is little competition due to the low number of involved companies. The production is low and most of times with no economy of scale. Another problem is the use of conventional equipment in the packaging manufacture. The new materials show different rheological properties and crystallization rate from conventional polymers. The difficulty of selling technologies and the time between the development and the product commercialization are still the big obstacles for the nanotechnology applications in the package sector. The commercialization According to Business Insight, the future of the nanotechnology in the package sector for food and beverages is associated with some drivers (BARNETT, 2011a): • The governmental investments will be aimed at de- veloping economies. • The commercialization will be the biggest challenge. • The food safety will be the focus for the development over the medium term. • The cost-benefit will gradually improve. • The new products will aggregate more benefits. Although the great innovation potential and the high investments that have been done, the nanotechnology in the package sector is not a conventional technology yet. Market restrictions are related to many factors: nanoscience and nanotechnology are not consolidated; the long-term effects over the consumer health are barely studied; there is distrust from the consumer; there is regulatory risks since the legal issues are beyond innovations and The future of the nanotechnology in the package sector