Recyclable hydrophobic cellulose-based film for sustainable paper food packaging

Overview

Paper plates and cups are widely seen as an environmentally friendly alternative to polystyrene foam products, but most are still lined with a polyethylene (PE) plastic barrier that makes them difficult to recycle. This technology replaces PE with a hydrophobic cellulose-based film, called Cellophax, that delivers the same functional performance as plastic while enabling recycling or composting at end of life. The result is a low-cost, sustainable solution for single-use food service items that does not force consumers to compromise on convenience.

Technical specifications

• Material basis: Films made from mildly chemically modified cellulose, produced through a patent-pending technological platform.
• Film properties: Look and feel like plastic, with tensile strength of 60–80 MPa, compared to 20–25 MPa for conventional PE.
• Hydrophobicity: Can be post-treated using proven methods to achieve (super)hydrophobic behavior, eliminating or significantly reducing water absorption.
• Antibacterial function: Post-treatment options impart antibacterial properties, reducing bacterial contamination on food contact surfaces.
• End-of-life: Completely degrades in soil within approximately three months and is designed to be recyclable or compostable.
• Application: Lining paper for plates and cups, with a strongly adhering film that integrates into existing paper-based product formats.

Technology readiness level

The core Cellophax film technology has been developed and characterized at laboratory scale, with demonstrated strength and biodegradability performance. Current work focuses on scaling up the chemical modification of cellulose and the flow casting process used to produce the films. The team estimates that scale-up and integration into lined paper plates and cups can be completed within approximately one year, positioning the technology for pilot trials and eventual commercial deployment.