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Engineering at the nanoscale is now a reality and big news for packaging. This study takes a detailed look at what these beak-through technologies mean for plastics packaging.
Plastics looks set to be one of the main beneficiaries of the nano revolution. Benefits are likely to include lightweight materials that exert less pressure on the environment and brand owners’ pockets. Cheaper barrier materials which can extend the shelf life of food and drink items packaged in rigid or flexible plastics. Perhaps even the replacement of PET with nano-engineered clarified PP bottles.
This study examines 12 current and future technology areas where nano-engineering could have a disruptive impact on the plastics packaging sector. Each area is examined in detail in a separate chapter
These areas include: thin, tough films; nanocomposites; high performance barrier resins; UV protection; nanocrystalline materials and tamper evidence; carbon nanotubes; nanoelectronics and many others.
Each chapter covers:
- How each technology works, the basic science
- Benefits to packagers, brand owners or consumers
- Prospects for mass production and cost reduction
- Likely uptake and impact on plastics packaging sector
Who should buy this study?
- Brand owners and packaging converters seeking better performing materials at lower costs
- Chemicals, inks, adhesives and coatings suppliers looking for higher value-added niche products
- Paper manufacturers looking for improved process technologies and enhanced properties for packaging
- Polymer producers and film extruders needing to develop more competitive products whilst understanding the new threats posed by nano-engineered paper-based materials
Introduction
- Nanotechnology - what is it?
- Applications of nanotechnology
- Applications in plastics packaging
- Nanomaterials for the development of high strength and multifunctional plastics packaging
- Introduction
- Anti-bacterial packaging with silica shells
- Thin films for flexible and sensory packaging
- Reinforcement with carbon nanotubes
Nanocomposites for longer shelf life
- UV protection with nanomaterials
- Environmental interaction using smart materials
- Brand protection and security
- Introduction
- Nanobarcodes for supply chain tracking
- RFID with thin films
- Nanotaggants
- Anti-counterfeiting with polymer films
- Magnetic barcodes for anti-forgery
- Smart covert nanotaggants
Nanomaterials in flexible displays
- Introduction
- Polymer electronics in intelligent packaging