In collaboration with Polifilm Extrusion (Cologne / Germany; www.polifilm.com), the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems (IMWS, Halle / Germany; www.imws.fraunhofer.de) has started a research project on new biopolymer-based, food-grade multilayer films. The project, which is scheduled to end in August 2021, will test the suitability of chitosan for the barrier layer in addition to other material properties. The natural substance made from the shells of crustaceans is to be laminated onto the outer layer of packaging films as a net-like fleece or applied as a wet chemical coating.

In their search for new multilayer films, the scientists are focusing on partially bio-based and biodegradable products. “In particular, we are working with PLA or PLA compound materials, combined, for example, with polyhydroxyalkanoates like PHB or PHBV, and designed as blends and/or multilayer combination,” said Polifilm project manager Maria Heinze.

The research partners from Halle are also collaborating with Polifilm scientists based only 10 km Northeast in Weißandt-Gölzau – the largest extrusion site of the family-run film specialist – on a non-destructive diagnostic method that can also provide information about the thickness of individual film layers and detect possible compound faults due to delamination or inclusions.

Germany’s packaging act came into force in 2019. The resulting requirements to improve the recycling quota for plastic packaging from currently 36% to 63% in the future, will make recyclable materials and biodegradable and/or bio-based plastics even more important in the future.