GoneShells Bio-based degradable packaging

Purpose and goal:

The hypothesis that a starch-based material can be coated with a biobased barrier formulation to provide the required barrier properties for food packaging was confirmed in the project. The production and evaluation of 3D formed prototypes and the pilot-scale trials for extrudering and injection moulding of the starch-based material, the project demonstrated and verified both the design-oriented potential, and the potential of scaling up the production process low investment cost (low CAPEX).

Expected results and effects:

The work of developing and testing the combination of the starch-based core material and the bio-based barrier to meet the requirements for use as packaging material resulted in materials with high strength, flexibility, and with good barrier properties against water at up to hour-long exposure time. Together with the forming techniques that have been developed, the results have contributed to an increased interest from both barrier formulators, starch suppliers and packaging distributors for further development.

Approach and implementation:

The structure of the work in the various work packages was generally good and the cooperation between the various parties worked very well. Problems that arose with e.g., material deliveries and delays due to Covid-19 restrictions were handled in a flexible and pragmatic way by all parties, but it have also led to an extension of the project period.

In retrospect, with the results available, the project should have included an evaluation of various barrier formulations, prior to the selection and further development were carried out.