Sustainable edible biopolymer coatings for PET packaging to reduce emissions and enhance biodegradability
A research initiative to develop edible biopolymer coatings for PET packaging films using agricultural biomass. The coatings aim to improve gas barrier properties, enhance photodegradation, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, offering a sustainable alternative for the food packaging industry.
Overview
This research addresses the environmental challenges of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging, which is widely used but contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and persistent microplastic pollution. The project investigates the application of edible biopolymer coatings derived from agricultural and industrial biomass residues as a sustainable strategy to enhance the environmental performance of PET-based films. By layering biodegradable proteins, polysaccharides, and oils onto PET surfaces, the coating aims to improve gas and vapor barrier properties while accelerating photodegradation, reducing the packaging's overall ecological footprint.
Technical specifications
Core approach:
- Application of edible biopolymer coatings as thin layers on PET packaging surfaces
- Use of biopolymers extracted from regional agricultural and industrial biomass residues, including proteins, polysaccharides, and oils
- Green extraction methods to obtain coating materials in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner
- Spraying techniques for uniform coating application on PET films
- Evaluation of adhesion properties between the edible coating and the PET substrate
- Assessment of barrier performance against gases, vapor, and oil
- Analysis of photodegradation behavior of coated films under light exposure
Project stages:
- Recovery and analysis of regional agricultural biomass feedstocks
- Green extraction of biopolymers from identified biomass sources
- Development of spraying methods for coating application
- Investigation of adhesion properties of edible coating materials on PET
- Study of barrier and photodegradation properties of coated films
Technology readiness level
This research is at an early stage, focused on laboratory-scale investigation and validation. The project defines five sequential stages from biomass recovery through to barrier and photodegradation testing. Future validation will measure greenhouse gas emission reductions, gas barrier improvements, and photodegradation durability of the coated PET films. The technology is currently in the foundational research phase, with further development needed before commercial deployment.
About Technical University of Munich
A leading public technical university anchored in Munich with campuses across Bavaria and a growing presence in Heilbronn, TUM pairs scale with an entrepreneurial culture. The Garching research campus co‑locates university labs with national institutes and start‑ups, while an integrated university hospital enables clinical translation. An Entrepreneurship Center with UnternehmerTUM and the TUM Venture Labs network link companies to prototyping, accelerators, and deep‑tech talent. Research draws competitive support from the German Research Foundation, federal ministries, Bavarian programs, and the European Union. TUM ForTe and its Patent & Licensing Office manage IP, streamline contracting, and offer a fast‑track model for startup licensing.
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