Multilayer packaging: Advances in preparation techniques and emerging food applications

Abstract

In recent years, with advantages of versatility, functionality, and convenience, multilayer food packaging has gained significant interest. As a single entity, multilayer packaging combines the benefits of each monolayer in terms of enhanced barrier properties, mechanical integrity, and functional properties. Of late, apart from conventional approaches such as coextrusion and lamination, concepts of nanotechnology have been used in the preparation of composite multilayer films with improved physical, chemical, and functional characteristics. Further, emerging techniques such as ultraviolet and cold plasma treatments have been used in manufacturing films with enhanced performance through surface modifications. This work provides an up-to-date review on advancements in the preparation of multilayer films for food packaging applications. This includes critical considerations in design, risk of interaction between the package and the food, mathematical modeling and simulation, potential for scale-up, and costs involved. The impact of in-package processing is also explained considering cases of nonthermal processing and advanced thermal processing. Importantly, challenges associated with degradability and recycling multilayer packages and associated implications on sustainability have been discussed. K E Y W O R D Sbiodegradability, improved film characteristics, multilayer packaging, nanotechnology, sustainability, recycling

Recyclable Multilayer Packaging by Means of Thermoreversibly Crosslinking Adhesive in the Context of Food Law

“…Assuming that the thinnest possible extrudable EVOH layer is about 3 µm thick, the adjacent PE layers would have to be at least 30-µm thick each. However, in the case of a PET tray with a PE/EVOH/PE layer (e.g., used for products with antioxidant requirements) [41], where the PET could be made available for recycling by separating the PE-EVOH portion, it would also be a gain to recycle only the PET portion, as this has the decidedly higher mass portion. From this point of view, it would also be reasonable to use a PE/EVOH/PE film with an EVOH content >5%.…”

Development of Electrospun Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) Monolayers Containing Eugenol and Their Application in Multilayer Antimicrobial Food Packaging

“…The purpose of using multilayer systems is to improve the properties of the food packaging due to the majority of polymers, particularly biopolymers, and paper present poor water resistance, low oxygen barrier, and reduced mechanical performance ( 45 – 47 ). As a result, the multilayer present higher advantages than monolayer systems in terms of industrial process and applications in food packaging ( 48 , 49 ). In this context, the electrospinning technology can result very effective to prepare active and bioactive multilayer structures with sustained released capacity by means of coatings or interlayers containing entrapped substances with functionality ( 50 ).…”

Study on the Influence of Bio-Based Packaging System on Sodium Benzoate Release Kinetics

“…One of the most available methods to control the release is the adoption of multilayer systems that generally utilize the inner layer to contain the active agent, the outer layer as a barrier to prevent the loss of the active substance to the environment and a control layer to modulate the flux of release [20,21]. Emerging techniques have been used in manufacturing multilayer films with enhanced performance through surface modifications [22].…”