The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), through its Centre for Incubation of Technologies (BARCIT), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India-based Veena Industries for using its technology in developing biodegradable and edible films for food and pharmaceuticals packaging.
Made from natural resources, the films have better mechanical and barrier properties than commercially used polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cling films or plastic films.
To enhance the film's mechanical and barrier properties including tensile strength and water vapor transmission rate, BARC will subject the raw materials with a dose of Gamma radiation.
As part of the deal, BARC will use its technical knowledge and infrastructure to develop the technology at its incubation center, while Veena Industries will develop products based on market orders, perform market search, provide manpower and material for the incubation plan.
The technology developed will be ultimately licensed to the Indian firm.
Packaging accounts to over 12 million tons annually and is said to be one of the largest markets for plastics.
However, synthetic packaging materials, which are made up of petroleum-based products, are non-biodegradable, non-renewable and therefore cause major environmental problems.
Alternative to synthetic packaging materials are biopolymers, which are biodegradable, non-toxic and derived from completely renewable resources.
Biopolymers, however, have their limitations too. They have poor mechanical and barrier properties when compared to non-biodegradable packaging materials.
