Starch improves barrier properties of PE films

Researchers at Wageningen UR (WUR) are working on the development of films from a blend of thermoplastic starch and polyethylene. The advantage of the combination of these materials is that it improves the barrier properties of a plastic film. The films that will be developed are interesting for applications in (food) packaging.
Polyethylene is very waterproof, but doesn’t have a good barrier to oxygen. Starch has a good oxygen barrier, but it is not water resistant. A good mixture of both materials should form a barrier to oxygen and water. The combination in a blend is currently not used for the production of films, but is potentially very interesting (Press Release WUR, 12 July 2016).
Click here for the press release.
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