Sustainable Biopolymer Coatings for Paper Packaging: A Critical Review
| Authors: | Julia Cristo Figueiredo, Fernando José Borges Gomes, Ericka Redmond, Caio Moreira Miquelino Eleto Torres, Diana Cubides-Román, Geraldo Ferreira David, Biljana Bujanovic, Roberto Carlos Costa Lelis |
| Year: | 2026 |
| Type: | Scientific Journal |
| Station: | Forest Products Laboratory |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8087-FLORAM-2025-0024 |
| Source: | Floresta e Ambiente |
Abstract
Reducing the consumption of single-use plastics is becoming reality in today’s society. More than 300 million tons of plastic waste are generated annually globally, with a significant portion coming from disposable food packaging. The development of sustainable paper-based packaging coated with biopolymers has gained prominence in the packaging sector due to its biodegradability, non-toxicity and biocompatibility properties. These materials offer additional advantages, such as resistance to moisture and oxidation, which increases the durability of packaged food products. Improving the knowledge and their applications are essential to ensure the sustainability of production processes and meet growing environmental and economic demands. However, ongoing research is needed to overcome challenges such as production scalability and the high cost of some biopolymers in order to ensure their viability on a large scale. Additionally, it has the potential to stimulate innovation in the packaging industry, offering solutions that align sustainability and competitiveness in the market.