Emerging Trends in Biomaterials for Sustainable Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Review

Alebachew Molla Nibret

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12

Review Article |

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Emerging Trends in Biomaterials for Sustainable Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Review

Alebachew Molla Nibret^*

Published in International Journal of Food Engineering and Technology (Volume 9, Issue 2)

Received: 9 September 2025 Accepted: 19 September 2025 Published: 10 October 2025

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Abstract

Biomaterials for sustainable food packaging are gaining significant attention as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastic packaging. The increasing environmental concerns over conventional plastic food packaging have spurred significant research and development of biomaterial-based sustainable packaging alternatives. Biomaterials such as biodegradable polymers: including polylactic acid and polyhydroxy alkanoates along with ceramics, composites, and nanomaterials, demonstrate promising functionalities, including biodegradability, mechanical robustness, barrier properties, and antimicrobial activity. These materials arise from renewable sources and offer the potential to significantly reduce plastic pollution and carbon footprints associated with the food packaging industry. Recent advances in composite formulations and nanotechnology-enabled packaging have further enhanced their performance, making biomaterials viable contenders for diverse food packaging applications. However, technical challenges related to processing, cost, and shelf-life alongside safety and regulatory considerations remain major hurdles for widespread commercialization. Interdisciplinary research and industrial collaborations are crucial to overcoming these challenges, optimizing material properties, and ensuring consumer safety. Ultimately, biomaterials are poised to drive a paradigm shift towards sustainable, circular food packaging systems that align with global sustainability goals by reducing waste, conserving resources, and enhancing food preservation. The future of food packaging lies in biomaterials driving sustainable, circular systems aligned with global sustainability goals, with ongoing innovation, standardized testing, and supportive policies accelerating their global uptake. This review underscores the importance of continuous innovation, standardized evaluation methods, and supportive policies in accelerating the adoption of biomaterial-based food packaging solutions worldwide.

Published in	International Journal of Food Engineering and Technology (Volume 9, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12
Page(s)	71-77
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Biomaterials, Sustainable Food Packaging, Biodegradable Polymers, Nanotechnology, Composite Materials, Bioplastics, Food Packaging Innovations, Environmental Sustainability

1. Introduction

The growing concern over environmental pollution and resource depletion has intensified the need for sustainable food packaging solutions

[1, 2]

. Conventional packaging materials, predominantly derived from non-biodegradable plastics, have become a major source of ecological problems due to their persistence in the environment and contribution to landfill waste and marine pollution

[3]

. The widespread use of these materials poses serious challenges, including soil contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, and threats to wildlife, which underscore the urgent demand for alternative packaging technologies

[4]

. Biomaterials have emerged as promising candidates to address these sustainability challenges because they are derived from renewable resources and designed to be biodegradable, thereby minimizing environmental impact

[5]

. These materials not only offer the potential to reduce waste but also aim to maintain the functional properties required to protect food products effectively, such as mechanical strength, barrier performance, and safety

[6]

This review comprehensively examines the latest advancements and emerging trends in biomaterials for sustainable food packaging, focusing on biodegradable polymers, ceramics, composite materials, and the integration of nanotechnology. The article discusses their properties, applications, environmental benefits, and current limitations, as well as future perspectives and challenges in scaling up their commercial use. By providing an in-depth analysis of these innovative materials, this review aims to highlight their critical role in steering the food packaging industry towards more sustainable and eco-friendly practices.

2. Overview of Biomaterials in Food Packaging

Biomaterials used in food packaging are defined as materials derived from renewable biological sources that are biodegradable or compostable, providing an eco-friendly alternative to conventional fossil-based plastics

[7, 8]

These biomaterials can be broadly classified into three categories based on their origin and synthesis: (1) polymers directly extracted from biomass such as polysaccharides (starch, cellulose) and proteins (casein, gluten); (2) polymers chemically synthesized from bio-derived monomers like polylactic acid (PLA); and (3) polymers produced by microorganisms, including polyhydroxy alkanoates (PHA)

[7, 9]

Unlike traditional packaging materials such as polyethylene and other petrochemical plastics, which are non-biodegradable and contribute significantly to environmental pollution, biomaterial-based packaging offers advantages like biodegradability, reduced carbon footprint, and potential soil compatibility after disposal

[5, 10]

Comparatively, conventional packaging materials derived from petroleum sources show excellent mechanical strength, barrier properties, and processability but suffer from long degradation times and environmental persistence

[11-13]

. Biomaterials, on the other hand, prioritize sustainability but face challenges such as inferior moisture resistance, mechanical limitations, and higher production costs

[14]

. Nonetheless, advancements in blending biomaterials with composites and nanotechnology have improved their performance, making them increasingly competitive with conventional plastics

[15]

For effective food packaging, key properties required include mechanical strength, flexibility, barrier properties against oxygen, moisture, and UV light, biodegradability, and non-toxicity

[5]

. Additionally, biomaterials should maintain food safety by preventing microbial contamination and preserving food quality and shelf life

[16]

. To achieve these attributes, biomaterials are often modified or combined with additives such as plasticizers, antimicrobials, and antioxidants, enhancing their functional capabilities to meet the demands of sustainable food packaging applications

[7, 17, 18]

3. Biodegradable Polymers

Biodegradable polymers are a pivotal category of biomaterials increasingly employed in sustainable food packaging due to their capacity to decompose naturally into benign products like water, carbon dioxide, and biomass

[19]

. Common types of biodegradable polymers include polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxy alkenoates (PHA), starch-based polymers, and cellulose derivatives

[19]

. PLA is a synthetic biopolymer typically synthesized through the ring-opening polymerization of lactide monomers derived from the fermentation of renewable resources such as corn and sugarcane

[20]

. It is widely recognized for its high molecular weight, transparency, ability to be compost, and mechanical properties suitable for short-shelf-life food packaging. PHAs, in contrast, are naturally produced by bacterial fermentation of sugars or lipids and vary from rigid crystalline to rubber-like polymers depending on monomer composition. Starch-based and cellulose polymers are naturally derived directly from biomass and are known for their biodegradability and film-forming abilities but often require modification to enhance mechanical and barrier properties for food packaging uses

[21, 22]

These biodegradable polymers possess critical properties for packaging, including adequate mechanical strength, water vapor and oxygen barrier capabilities, and biodegradability under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

[19]

. For example, PLA exhibits adjustable crystallinity which affects its degradation rate and mechanical characteristics, while PHAs are noted for their UV resistance and biodegradation via microbial activity. Recent advancements have focused on blending these polymers with natural fibers, nanoparticles, or other biopolymers to overcome limitations such as brittleness, moisture sensitivity, and processing difficulties

[23]

. Commercially, materials like Nature works’ PLA and Bio-pol PHAs are already in use for packaging films, trays, and coatings

[19, 23]

However, challenges remain, including relatively high production costs, complex processing requirements, and sometimes shorter shelf-life compared to conventional plastics

[7]

. Additionally, issues such as low thermal stability in certain PHAs and brittleness in pure biodegradable polymers necessitate ongoing research to enhance material properties while maintaining environmental benefits. Despite these hurdles, biodegradable polymers continue to be at the forefront of innovations for sustainable food packaging solutions with expanding market adoption

[19]

4. Ceramics in Food Packaging

Ceramics play an important role in sustainable food packaging owing to their unique combination of chemical inertness, thermal stability, and barrier properties

[24]

. These materials help preserve the flavor, quality, and safety of food by preventing reactive interactions and contamination. Types of ceramic biomaterials used in this domain include bio-ceramics, which are typically porous and derived from natural minerals, and nanoceramics that incorporate nanoscale particles to enhance functional properties such as strength and antimicrobial activity

[25, 26]

. The functional benefits of ceramics in food packaging include excellent resistance to heat and moisture, superior barrier performance against gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, and inherent antimicrobial effects that help mitigate microbial contamination and extend shelf life

[27]

Ceramics are often integrated with other biomaterials such as biodegradable polymers to form composites that combine the mechanical flexibility of polymers with the protective advantages of ceramics

[6, 28]

This synergy improves packaging durability, barrier efficiency, and functional lifespan. Emerging research trends focus on developing smart ceramic-based coatings and nanocomposites with enhanced antimicrobial capabilities, stimuli-responsive behaviors, and real-time sensing functionalities for food quality monitoring

[29]

. Future prospects include wider application of environmentally friendly ceramic biomaterials in active and intelligent packaging systems that promote sustainability while ensuring food safety and freshness.

5. Composite Biomaterials

Composite biomaterials in food packaging are materials made from the combination of two or more distinct constituents, typically a biodegradable polymer matrix reinforced with other materials such as natural fibers, ceramics, or nanoparticles

[30]

. This classification allows tailoring materials to enhance desired properties that single-material packaging cannot provide alone. Common composites include biopolymers combined with cellulose fibers or nanomaterials like graphene, which improve mechanical strength, barrier properties against gas and moisture, and thermal stability

[31, 32]

Compared to single-material packaging, composite biomaterials offer several advantages, including enhanced durability, improved flexibility, and superior performance in protecting food products by minimizing oxygen and moisture transmission

[30]

. Such composites can also be designed to meet specific packaging requirements, such as antimicrobial activity, biodegradability, and thermal resistance, by carefully selecting suitable reinforcements and matrix materials. This tailoring allows for optimized food preservation and extended shelf life.

Innovative composite materials include biopolymer-based laminates reinforced with natural fibers, nano-clay composites, and ceramic-reinforced bioplastics

[12]

. Pilot studies demonstrate their effectiveness in reducing environmental impact while maintaining packaging functionality. These composites represent an advancing frontier in sustainable food packaging, balancing ecological benefits with performance demands

[6]

6. Nanotechnology in Biomaterials for Food Packaging

Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative approach in the development of advanced biomaterials for food packaging by incorporating nanomaterials to enhance packaging functionality

[25]

. Common nanomaterials used include nano-clays, nano-cellulose, and metal nanoparticles such as silver, copper, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide

[33]

. These nanomaterials significantly improve key properties of packaging materials like mechanical strength, barrier effectiveness against gases and moisture, thermal stability, and antimicrobial activity, all of which contribute to extending food shelf life and safety.

Nano-clays enhance barrier properties by creating tortuous pathways that reduce the permeability of oxygen and moisture

[34]

. Nano-cellulose, derived from natural sources, improves mechanical strength and biodegradability. Metal nanoparticles are widely recognized for their potent antimicrobial effects, helping to inhibit the growth of foodborne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms, thus reducing the need for chemical preservatives

[35]

. Furthermore, nanotechnology enables the development of smart packaging systems capable of detecting spoilage or contamination through nano-sensors.

Despite these benefits, safety and toxicity concerns remain significant challenges. Potential migration of nanoparticles into food products poses risks that are not yet fully understood, calling for stringent regulatory frameworks and comprehensive risk assessments to ensure consumer safety

[36]

. Regulatory bodies such as the European Union have introduced directives focusing on nanomaterial use in food contact materials to address these issues.

Future directions in this field involve the design of multifunctional nanocomposites that combine active and intelligent packaging features, biodegradable nanomaterials for environmental sustainability, and scalable, cost-effective manufacturing techniques

[37]

. Continued research is expected to overcome current limitations, leading to broader commercial adoption and innovative breakthroughs in sustainable food packaging.

7. Sustainability Assessment

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a critical tool for evaluating the environmental impacts of biomaterials used in food packaging

[38]

. It involves a comprehensive analysis of the entire material lifecycle from raw material extraction, production, and processing to usage and end-of-life disposal. According to ISO standards 14040 and 14044, the LCA process includes goal definition, inventory analysis, impact assessment, and interpretation. LCAs of biomaterials often reveal that the most significant environmental impacts occur during material production and waste management. The use of biodegradable polymers and composites derived from renewable sources typically results in lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduced ecological footprints when compared to conventional plastics

[39]

. Additionally, employing renewable energy in production and minimizing material usage enhance the sustainability of packaging systems.

The environmental benefits of biomaterials include reduced reliance on fossil fuels, decreased plastic pollution, and improved end-of-life disposal options

[40]

. Economically, biomaterials can promote circular economy models by enabling material recovery and reuse, although current production costs remain higher than conventional materials. This economic challenge, along with variability in material performance, processing complexities, and limited industrial composting infrastructure, poses barriers to widespread commercial adoption

[41]

Scaling up biomaterial production demands advancements in cost-efficient manufacturing, better integration into existing supply chains, and comprehensive lifecycle evaluations to ensure true sustainability benefits

[42]

. Ongoing research and policy support are vital to overcoming these challenges and accelerating the transition toward sustainable food packaging solutions.

8. Case Studies and Commercial Applications

Several biomaterial-based sustainable food packaging solutions have successfully entered the commercial market, exemplifying the transition towards environmentally friendly packaging alternatives

[43]

. Notable examples include polylactic acid (PLA)-based films used by companies such as Nature Works, which manufacture biodegradable packaging materials for various food products. Edible films and coatings formulated from natural biopolymers such as chitosan, starch, and cellulose derivatives have been applied to fruits, vegetables, and meat to enhance shelf life by reducing microbial growth and moisture loss

[44]

. These films often incorporate active agents like essential oils and antioxidants to create antimicrobial packaging that extends product freshness.

Industry partnerships have propelled innovation, with collaborations between academia, packaging manufacturers, and food companies focusing on developing multifunctional biomaterial composites and nanotechnology-enabled packaging systems

[45]

. Companies exploring bio-based nanocomposites and smart packaging solutions use sensors for real-time food quality monitoring, further strengthening the viability of sustainable packaging in the marketplace

[46]

Consumer acceptance is growing as awareness of environmental impacts rises and demand for plastic-free packaging increases. Market trends indicate a shift towards biodegradable, compostable, and edible packaging materials driven by stringent regulations and shifting consumer preferences favoring eco-conscious products. Nonetheless, challenges such as cost, scalability, and ensuring consistent performance still influence adoption rates

[47]

. Overall, commercial applications reflect promising advances in biomaterial packaging, supported by continuous innovation and positive consumer responses.

9. Challenges and Future Perspectives

The development and implementation of biomaterials for sustainable food packaging face several notable technical and material challenges

[6]

. These include achieving comparable mechanical strength and barrier properties to conventional plastics, ensuring consistent biodegradability under varied environmental conditions, and overcoming processing difficulties such as thermal stability and compatibility with existing manufacturing technologies

[19]

. Material cost-effectiveness remains a significant barrier, with many biomaterials currently more expensive to produce at scale compared to petroleum-based alternatives. Additionally, variability in raw material sources and the need for tailored composite formulations to meet diverse food packaging requirements complicate commercialization efforts

[9]

Regulatory and safety considerations are critical, as food packaging materials must meet stringent standards to prevent harmful chemical migration into food products. The complexity of biomaterial formulations, potential unknown reaction by-products, and nanoparticle usage introduce uncertainties that require comprehensive toxicological evaluation and risk assessment

[48]

. Regulatory agencies are progressively updating guidelines to address these challenges, emphasizing the need for transparent chemical characterization, migration studies, and adherence to safety certifications.

Future research directions emphasize interdisciplinary approaches integrating material science, food technology, nanotechnology, and environmental sciences. Innovations in smart packaging, active functionalization, and biopolymer composites hold promise for overcoming current limitations

[49]

. There is also a focus on utilizing agricultural and food industry waste for biomaterial production to enhance resource efficiency and circular economy models

[6]

Ultimately, the advancement of biomaterials in food packaging aligns closely with global sustainability goals, such as reducing plastic pollution, lowering carbon footprints, and promoting circular resource use

[5]

. Success in this field could significantly contribute to achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to responsible consumption, climate action, and life on land and below water

[50]

10. Conclusion

Biomaterials are playing an increasingly critical role in advancing sustainable food packaging by providing environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastics. Key findings from current research highlight the versatility of biomaterials such as biodegradable polymers, ceramics, composites, and nanotechnology-enabled materials in offering biodegradability, mechanical strength, barrier properties, and antimicrobial functions. These materials contribute significantly to reducing plastic pollution, lowering carbon footprints, and enhancing food safety and shelf life. However, challenges related to processing, cost, regulatory compliance, and ensuring true environmental benefits remain to be addressed.

The future of sustainable food packaging depends on continued multidisciplinary research, innovation, and collaboration among material scientists, food technologists, industry stakeholders, and policymakers. There is a clear need for advancing biomaterial formulations that balance performance with ecological compatibility, establishing rigorous standards for safety and biodegradability, and improving scalability and commercial viability. Through such concerted efforts, biomaterials are poised to transform food packaging into a sustainable, circular system aligned with global environmental and sustainability goals, ultimately achieving a positive impact on both the food industry and the planet.

Abbreviations

LCA	Life Cycle Assessments
PHA	Polyhydroxy Alkenoates
PLA	Polylactic Acid
UV	Ultraviolet

Author Contributions

Alebachew Molla Nibret is the sole author. The author read and approved the final manuscript.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

No new data were created or analyzed in this review.

Funding

This review received no external funding.

Conflicts of Interest

The author declares no conflicts of interest.

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Nibret, A. M. (2025). Emerging Trends in Biomaterials for Sustainable Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Review. International Journal of Food Engineering and Technology, 9(2), 71-77. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12

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Nibret, A. M. Emerging Trends in Biomaterials for Sustainable Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Review. Int. J. Food Eng. Technol. 2025, 9(2), 71-77. doi: 10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12

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Nibret AM. Emerging Trends in Biomaterials for Sustainable Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Food Eng Technol. 2025;9(2):71-77. doi: 10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12,
  author = {Alebachew Molla Nibret},
  title = {Emerging Trends in Biomaterials for Sustainable Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Review
},
  journal = {International Journal of Food Engineering and Technology},
  volume = {9},
  number = {2},
  pages = {71-77},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijfet.20250902.12},
  abstract = {Biomaterials for sustainable food packaging are gaining significant attention as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastic packaging. The increasing environmental concerns over conventional plastic food packaging have spurred significant research and development of biomaterial-based sustainable packaging alternatives. Biomaterials such as biodegradable polymers: including polylactic acid and polyhydroxy alkanoates along with ceramics, composites, and nanomaterials, demonstrate promising functionalities, including biodegradability, mechanical robustness, barrier properties, and antimicrobial activity. These materials arise from renewable sources and offer the potential to significantly reduce plastic pollution and carbon footprints associated with the food packaging industry. Recent advances in composite formulations and nanotechnology-enabled packaging have further enhanced their performance, making biomaterials viable contenders for diverse food packaging applications. However, technical challenges related to processing, cost, and shelf-life alongside safety and regulatory considerations remain major hurdles for widespread commercialization. Interdisciplinary research and industrial collaborations are crucial to overcoming these challenges, optimizing material properties, and ensuring consumer safety. Ultimately, biomaterials are poised to drive a paradigm shift towards sustainable, circular food packaging systems that align with global sustainability goals by reducing waste, conserving resources, and enhancing food preservation. The future of food packaging lies in biomaterials driving sustainable, circular systems aligned with global sustainability goals, with ongoing innovation, standardized testing, and supportive policies accelerating their global uptake. This review underscores the importance of continuous innovation, standardized evaluation methods, and supportive policies in accelerating the adoption of biomaterial-based food packaging solutions worldwide.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Emerging Trends in Biomaterials for Sustainable Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Review

AU  - Alebachew Molla Nibret
Y1  - 2025/10/10
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12
T2  - International Journal of Food Engineering and Technology
JF  - International Journal of Food Engineering and Technology
JO  - International Journal of Food Engineering and Technology
SP  - 71
EP  - 77
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1584
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12
AB  - Biomaterials for sustainable food packaging are gaining significant attention as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastic packaging. The increasing environmental concerns over conventional plastic food packaging have spurred significant research and development of biomaterial-based sustainable packaging alternatives. Biomaterials such as biodegradable polymers: including polylactic acid and polyhydroxy alkanoates along with ceramics, composites, and nanomaterials, demonstrate promising functionalities, including biodegradability, mechanical robustness, barrier properties, and antimicrobial activity. These materials arise from renewable sources and offer the potential to significantly reduce plastic pollution and carbon footprints associated with the food packaging industry. Recent advances in composite formulations and nanotechnology-enabled packaging have further enhanced their performance, making biomaterials viable contenders for diverse food packaging applications. However, technical challenges related to processing, cost, and shelf-life alongside safety and regulatory considerations remain major hurdles for widespread commercialization. Interdisciplinary research and industrial collaborations are crucial to overcoming these challenges, optimizing material properties, and ensuring consumer safety. Ultimately, biomaterials are poised to drive a paradigm shift towards sustainable, circular food packaging systems that align with global sustainability goals by reducing waste, conserving resources, and enhancing food preservation. The future of food packaging lies in biomaterials driving sustainable, circular systems aligned with global sustainability goals, with ongoing innovation, standardized testing, and supportive policies accelerating their global uptake. This review underscores the importance of continuous innovation, standardized evaluation methods, and supportive policies in accelerating the adoption of biomaterial-based food packaging solutions worldwide.

VL  - 9
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Alebachew Molla Nibret

Department of Biotechnology, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita, Ethiopia

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http://orcid.org/0009-0004-3180-2775

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Nibret, A. M. (2025). Emerging Trends in Biomaterials for Sustainable Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Review. International Journal of Food Engineering and Technology, 9(2), 71-77. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12

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Nibret, A. M. Emerging Trends in Biomaterials for Sustainable Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Review. Int. J. Food Eng. Technol. 2025, 9(2), 71-77. doi: 10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12

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AMA Style

Nibret AM. Emerging Trends in Biomaterials for Sustainable Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Food Eng Technol. 2025;9(2):71-77. doi: 10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12,
  author = {Alebachew Molla Nibret},
  title = {Emerging Trends in Biomaterials for Sustainable Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Review
},
  journal = {International Journal of Food Engineering and Technology},
  volume = {9},
  number = {2},
  pages = {71-77},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijfet.20250902.12},
  abstract = {Biomaterials for sustainable food packaging are gaining significant attention as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastic packaging. The increasing environmental concerns over conventional plastic food packaging have spurred significant research and development of biomaterial-based sustainable packaging alternatives. Biomaterials such as biodegradable polymers: including polylactic acid and polyhydroxy alkanoates along with ceramics, composites, and nanomaterials, demonstrate promising functionalities, including biodegradability, mechanical robustness, barrier properties, and antimicrobial activity. These materials arise from renewable sources and offer the potential to significantly reduce plastic pollution and carbon footprints associated with the food packaging industry. Recent advances in composite formulations and nanotechnology-enabled packaging have further enhanced their performance, making biomaterials viable contenders for diverse food packaging applications. However, technical challenges related to processing, cost, and shelf-life alongside safety and regulatory considerations remain major hurdles for widespread commercialization. Interdisciplinary research and industrial collaborations are crucial to overcoming these challenges, optimizing material properties, and ensuring consumer safety. Ultimately, biomaterials are poised to drive a paradigm shift towards sustainable, circular food packaging systems that align with global sustainability goals by reducing waste, conserving resources, and enhancing food preservation. The future of food packaging lies in biomaterials driving sustainable, circular systems aligned with global sustainability goals, with ongoing innovation, standardized testing, and supportive policies accelerating their global uptake. This review underscores the importance of continuous innovation, standardized evaluation methods, and supportive policies in accelerating the adoption of biomaterial-based food packaging solutions worldwide.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Emerging Trends in Biomaterials for Sustainable Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Review

AU  - Alebachew Molla Nibret
Y1  - 2025/10/10
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12
T2  - International Journal of Food Engineering and Technology
JF  - International Journal of Food Engineering and Technology
JO  - International Journal of Food Engineering and Technology
SP  - 71
EP  - 77
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1584
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijfet.20250902.12
AB  - Biomaterials for sustainable food packaging are gaining significant attention as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastic packaging. The increasing environmental concerns over conventional plastic food packaging have spurred significant research and development of biomaterial-based sustainable packaging alternatives. Biomaterials such as biodegradable polymers: including polylactic acid and polyhydroxy alkanoates along with ceramics, composites, and nanomaterials, demonstrate promising functionalities, including biodegradability, mechanical robustness, barrier properties, and antimicrobial activity. These materials arise from renewable sources and offer the potential to significantly reduce plastic pollution and carbon footprints associated with the food packaging industry. Recent advances in composite formulations and nanotechnology-enabled packaging have further enhanced their performance, making biomaterials viable contenders for diverse food packaging applications. However, technical challenges related to processing, cost, and shelf-life alongside safety and regulatory considerations remain major hurdles for widespread commercialization. Interdisciplinary research and industrial collaborations are crucial to overcoming these challenges, optimizing material properties, and ensuring consumer safety. Ultimately, biomaterials are poised to drive a paradigm shift towards sustainable, circular food packaging systems that align with global sustainability goals by reducing waste, conserving resources, and enhancing food preservation. The future of food packaging lies in biomaterials driving sustainable, circular systems aligned with global sustainability goals, with ongoing innovation, standardized testing, and supportive policies accelerating their global uptake. This review underscores the importance of continuous innovation, standardized evaluation methods, and supportive policies in accelerating the adoption of biomaterial-based food packaging solutions worldwide.

VL  - 9
IS  - 2
ER  -

Copy | Download