Suitability of poly(butylene succinate) as a coating for paperboard convenience food packaging. Issue 1 (1st January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thurber, Henry; Curtzwiler, Greg W.
• Is Part Of: International journal of biobased plastics. Volume 2:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 12
• Publication Date: 2020-01-01
• Subjects: Sustainable -- compostable -- microwave -- poly(butylene succinate) -- packaging; Thermoplastics -- Periodicals; Elastomers -- Periodicals; Thermosetting plastics -- Periodicals; Thermosetting plastics; Thermoplastics; Elastomers; Biodegradable plastics; Periodicals; 668.4
• DOI: 10.1080/24759651.2020.1785094
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2475-9651

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Take out and convenience food packaging has seen rapid growth in recent years, particularly in the last few months due to restrictions of in-restaurant dining. Paper-based packaging is often thought to be a more sustainable option to plastics. However, paper-based food packaging materials generally require supplemental treatments, such as applications of perfluorinated chemicals and petroleum-based plastics to improve performance. These are effective but limit sustainable end-of-life options (e.g., recycling and composting). Landfill diversion strategies are needed to divert food packaging waste as consumer demand for ready-to-eat (RTE) convenience meal kits and single-use packaging continues to increase municipal solid waste accumulation. This investigation evaluated the suitability of poly(butylene succinate; PBS) as a direct-melt coating on recycled paperboard for grease resistance in microwave rapid reheat and heat and hold convenience food packaging applications. This research demonstrates PBS as a viable alternative to perfluorinated chemicals and petroleum polymers with a more sustainable end-of-life option due to its oil migration resistance at elevated temperatures and compostability properties.