Collagen fiber and polyvinyl alcohol barrier films for food packaging

Overview

This solution offers biodegradable, heat-sealable films produced from a blend of collagen fiber and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for use in food packaging or as layers in multilayer packaging systems. Collagen contributes film-forming ability, plasticity, elasticity, and good oxygen barrier properties, while PVA—a synthetic but biodegradable, non-toxic polymer—provides excellent mechanical strength and water solubility. By combining the two materials, the blend overcomes the partial insolubility and fibrous structure limitations of collagen alone, resulting in films with improved overall characteristics suitable for protecting perishable foods.

The films have been successfully applied to sliced meat products stored under refrigeration, as well as to fresh meat and strawberries—products with high water content—demonstrating their ability to maintain product quality across diverse food matrices.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• Composition: Blend of collagen fiber and polyvinyl alcohol, leveraging complementary properties of a natural protein and a biodegradable synthetic polymer
• Oxygen barrier: Collagen component provides good oxygen barrier properties, helping extend shelf life of packaged foods
• Mechanical performance: PVA contributes excellent mechanical strength and flexibility
• Heat sealability: Films are thermosellable, enabling use in conventional packaging equipment
• Biodegradability: Both components are biodegradable, supporting sustainable packaging goals
• Moisture resistance: Films withstand packaging of high water content products such as fresh meat and strawberries

Validated analyses performed on the films:

• Optical analysis
• Physical analysis
• Mechanical analysis
• Structural analysis

Validated packaging performance metrics (sliced meat under refrigeration):

• Moisture monitoring
• Water activity tracking
• Lipid oxidation measurement
• pH monitoring
• Color analysis

Technology readiness level

The technology is currently at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4—validated in a laboratory setting. Films have been successfully produced and tested as packaging for sliced meat, fresh meat, and strawberries, with positive results regarding shelf life and physical integrity under refrigerated storage.

Next validation steps include:

• Scaling up film production using larger-scale equipment
• Repeating optical, physical, mechanical, and structural analyses on scaled-up films
• Adding vapor permeability, oxygen permeability, and migration tests
• Applying the films as standalone packaging or as layers in multilayer packaging across additional food matrices

This solution is positioned for collaborative development toward pilot-scale production and broader food packaging applications.