Biodegradable films are an alternative to commercial petroleum based films. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre has developed biodegradable films using guar gum a widely available biopolymer and various additives such as nanoclays, fynol, epoxy, beeswax, glycerol and tween-80. It is an intelligent technological advancement for the economical & environmental solution for the plastics packaging films.

 SALIENT FEATURES OF THE TECHNOLOGY

• Present an attractive alternative to petroleum based polymers like LLDPE, LDPE, HDPE, PP etc.


• Safe for long-term contact with food.


• Concentrations of additives can be easily modified to tailor film properties.


• Mechanical and barrier properties are comparable to commercial PVC cling film.


• Stable to radiation processing up to dose of 25 kGy.

• Useful for food packaging especially for minimally processed products.

 APPLICATIONS

• Biodegradable films can be used as general purpose food packaging material.


• Could also be used for packaging of minimally processed fruits and vegetables.


• Could be employed for drug delivery as oral dispersible films

Introduction : Petroleum based packaging materials are threat to environment due to their non-biodegradability and non-renewability. Biopolymers based films could provide suitable alternatives for these petroleum based products. Guar gum is a poly galactomannan derived from endosperm of legume plant and India is largest producer of this polymer. Guar gum based films with various additives have comparable barrier, mechanical and cling properties with commercially available stretch wrap films. Properties could also be suitably modified using different concentrations of additives.

Advantages :

• Can be easily prepared using locally available raw materials.
• Have comparable mechanical and barrier properties with commercially available stretch wrap films.
• Completely biodegradable
• No specific environment is required for degradation
• Concentrations of additives can be altered to tailor film properties.
• Films are stable under radiation processing up to dose of 25 kGy.
• It is nontoxic and nonhazardous.
• The cost of the developed films is comparable with commercial polymers.

APPLICATIONS

• Biodegradable films can be used as general purpose food packaging material.
• Could also be used for packaging of minimally processed fruits and vegetables.

INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS

Raw Materials

• All the raw materials required are available in the local market.
  

Equipments

• Overhead stirrer with motor,
• Jacketed stain steel vessel with heating arrangement
• Machine for casting and drying of films.
• Machine for making rolls of dried films.

Space

• Factory shade of 600 sq. ft. area (30 ft. x 20 ft) with DM water facilities.

Power

• Three phase power connection.

Manpower

• Minimum two laboratory technician are required for production of one ton of biodegradable packaging films. Actual manpower would depend on production capacity.