The development of
sustainable high-performance polymeric formulations,
possibly showing multifunctional characteristics, is of key importance
to produce materials in line with the circular economy agenda. This
work focuses on the preparation of fully biomass-derived blends from
furan-based polyester and natural extracts to yield an innovative
packaging system. Terpenoids and suberin monomers are isolated from
largely available waste biomass, namely, birch bark, through simple
and straightforward methodologies and mixed with poly(hexamethylene
furanoate) (PHF). The physicomechanical properties of the blends evidence
a modulation of the surface hydrophobicity together with a significant
increase in flexibility and toughness owing to the dual function exerted
by the extracts, which act both as plasticizing agents and cross-linking
molecules due to the formation of weak interactions, such as hydrogen
bonding, with the macromolecular chains of PHF. The evaluation of
the functional properties highlights that the excellent gas barrier
characteristics of PHF are not just preserved; rather, a substantial
increase of the CO2/O2 permselectivity ratio
is measured because of the presence of an increased concentration
of disclinations that favor the diffusion of CO2. Lastly,
the addition of natural extracts allows for the implementation of
antioxidant and antibacterial features otherwise absent in the pristine
polymer.