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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to demonstrate mechanical recycling of low density polyethylene (LDPE) films coated with a thin layer of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). CNF acts as an effective barrier against oxygen and mineral oil residues. Two different CNF grades were tested, and both were applied onto plasma activated LDPE film using a pilot coating line. The coated films were shredded with the help of liquid nitrogen, compacted and compounded with virgin LDPE and compatibilizer, and processed into cast films and injection molded test specimens. The CNF coatings were completely blent as microscale agglomerates in the LDPE matrix. The effect of these agglomerates on the barrier and heat sealing properties was statistically insignificant compared to recycled uncoated LDPE. The mechanical properties were only moderately changed. CNF‐coated LDPE films can therefore be recycled back into films without sacrificing the characteristic properties of the base polymer. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46237. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate a thin, TEMPO-oxidized (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl-mediated oxidation) cellulose nanofibril (CNF) coating as a barrier layer in multilayer packaging films together with biobased polyethylenes. The purpose was also to explore the possible interactions between food products and the biobased films, and to evaluate the feasibility of these films for packaging of dry foods. CNF provided the biobased multilayer films with an oxygen barrier suitable for both demanding food products and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The MAP pouches made of these multilayer films retained their atmosphere and shape and protected ground hazelnuts from further oxidation for the storage time used in this study. However, irradiation used to sterilize packed foods and aroma compounds from clove in particular impaired the oxygen barrier property of the CNF layer, while the water vapor barrier property of the multilayer films remained unaffected. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44830. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT A single biopolymer film rarely has a competitive edge against synthetic films. One solution is to combine several layers with different properties into multilayer structures. In this way, for example, the barrier properties of bio-based materials can be improved. In this study, the multilayer films are produced by combining three different techniques/materials: 1) dispersion coating (cellulose nanofibrils, CNF), 2) atomic layer deposition (Al2O3; aluminum oxide), and 3) extrusion coating (polyglycolic acid, PGA). Especially the CNF and PGA-containing multilayer films show promising oxygen barrier improvements at different humidities. Thin inorganic coatings are brittle and sensitive toward stresses during converting, which may limit their use in such specific multilayer structures. The developed bio-based films largely fulfill the barrier requirements of fresh food packaging. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 42260. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Thin atomic layer deposited (ALD) Al2O3 coatings are efficient barriers against gases and vapors. Al2O3 coatings are, however, brittle and straining them generates defects that impair barrier properties. Flexibility of ALD-grown Al2O3 coatings on biopolymer substrates can be improved by separating thinner Al2O3 layers with inorganic–organic alucone layers. The number and size of defects were smaller for these nanolaminates compared to the thick Al2O3 films after straining, and hence straining deteriorated the oxygen barrier properties less when applied to the laminates than when applied to the Al2O3 coatings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Commercial polylactide (PLA) films are coated with a thin (20nm) non-toxic polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) film made from sodium alginate and chitosan and additionally with a 25-nm thick atomic layer deposited (ALD) Al2O3 layer. The double-coating of PEM+Al2O3 is found to significantly enhance the water vapor barrier properties of the PLA film. The improvement is essentially larger compared with the case the PLA film being just coated with an ALD-grown Al2O3 layer. The enhanced water vapor barrier characteristics of the PEM+Al2O3 double-coated PLA films are attributed to the increased hydrophobicity of the surface of these films. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Thin (25nm) and highly uniform Al2O3 coatings have been deposited at relatively low temperature of 80 and 100°C onto various bio-based polymeric materials employing the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. The work demonstrates that the ALD-grown Al2O3 coating significantly enhances the oxygen and water vapor barrier performance of these materials. Promising barrier properties were revealed for polylactide-coated board, hemicellulose-coated board as well as various biopolymer (polylactide, pectin and nano-fibrillated cellulose) films. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Thin aluminum oxide coatings have been deposited at a low temperature of 80°C on various uncoated papers, polymer-coated papers and boards and plain polymer films using the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. The work demonstrates that such ALD-grown Al2O3 coatings efficiently enhance the gas-diffusion barrier performance of the studied porous and non-porous materials towards oxygen, water vapor and aromas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper demonstrates opportunities for wood-based xylan derivatives to be used in coating applications. A route for extraction and purification of white and pure xylan from bleached birch kraft pulp is described as a part of the production of high adsorption and high crystalline pulp. Derivatization of the xylan during the extraction step was also demonstrated. Efficient derivatization of xylan to water soluble derivatives was achieved and promising results were obtained in primary application tests as a coating component in barrier coatings on board and as a binder component in pigment coating of offset paper. With the best xylan derivate coating, the barrier properties were better than with a commercial biopolymer coating, while oxygen permeability was roughly one third of that for a polyethylene terephthalate coating. Likewise, surface strength close to the reference latex as a binder in pigment coatings was achieved by a xylan derivative. This work is part of a platform of hemicellulose derivatives enabling novel application for this medium to high molar mass hemicellulose of high purity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]