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In molecular physics, it is often necessary to average over the orientation of molecules when calculating observables, in particular when modeling experiments in the liquid or gas phase. Evaluated in terms of Euler angles, this is closely related to integration over two- or three-dimensional unit spheres, a common problem discussed in numerical analysis. The computational cost of the integration depends significantly on the quadrature method, making the selection of an appropriate method crucial for the feasibility of simulations. After reviewing several classes of spherical quadrature methods in terms of their efficiency and error distribution, we derive guidelines for choosing the best quadrature method for orientation averages and illustrate these with three examples from chiral molecule physics. While Gauss quadratures allow for achieving numerically exact integration for a wide range of applications, other methods offer advantages in specific circumstances. Our guidelines can also be applied to higher-dimensional spherical domains and other geometries. We also present a Python package providing a flexible interface to a variety of quadrature methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the way that maintenance is carried out has evolved due to the incorporation of digital tools and Industry 4.0 concepts. By connecting to and communicating with their production system, companies can now gather information about the current and future health of the equipment, enabling more efficient control through a process called predictive maintenance (PdM). The goal of PdM is to reduce unplanned downtimes and proactively address maintenance needs before failures occur. However, it can be challenging for industrial practitioners to implement an intelligent maintenance system that effectively manages data. This paper presents a methodology for developing and implementing a PdM system in the automotive industry, using open standards and scalable data management capabilities. The platform is validated through the presentation of two industry use cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural plant fiber‐based packaging materials emerges as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic and non‐biodegradable packaging. This paper presents an extensive review of the current technological status quo and commercial applications of natural plant fiber‐based packaging such as fiber‐based foams, molded pulp packaging, fiber‐based bottles, fiber‐based flexible packaging, fiber‐based blister packaging and stretchable paper. It focuses on the manufacturing processes and newest technology advancement of environmentally sustainable materials, meanwhile, the currently industry‐leading, cutting‐edge commercial products also are discussed. In conclusion, the paper advocates for the pivotal role natural plant fiber‐based packaging plays in transforming the packaging industry, addressing waste reduction, resource conservation, and climate change. It encourages the wider adoption of these materials while acknowledging the complexities involved and the need for continuous research and development to ensure their viability and effectiveness in meeting stringent packaging requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additives have been critical to the growth of flexible packaging since its inception nearly 100 years ago. Additives help tailor the performance of new materials to meet packaging needs and to efficiently run on film converting and packaging equipment. Examples include antioxidants for thermo‐oxidative stability during extrusion, slip and antiblock agents to improve film handling and frictional properties, polymer process aides (PPAs) to delay the onset of flow instabilities and increase output, pigments for coloring films and creating light barrier, antifog agents to improve wetting of film surfaces, antistat agents to reduce static charge, and nucleating agents for increasing the rate of crystallization and controlling crystalline morphology. This paper provides a brief history of the development and use of additives in flexible packaging, focusing on polyolefins. It then looks forward at new challenges and opportunities for additive development. One area is regulatory driven, most recently replacing per‐and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)‐containing PPAs with non‐PFAS technology. The industry has had to respond very rapidly to changing regulations and introduce new technology. The challenge is understanding the impact of the new technology on performance. A second area is sustainability where additives will be critical for upgrading the performance of mechanically recycled post‐consumer packaging waste, redesigning flexible packaging structures so that they can be recycled in the PE‐stream, and using bio‐based or compostable polymers. New research methods such as high throughput experimentation, artificial intelligence and computer modeling and simulation will likely accelerate additive development in the future. Highlights: Additives are critical for meeting flexible packaging performance needs.Additives improve surface and bulk properties and processability.Replacing PFAS‐containing process aides is a current area of focus.Sustainability is driving new opportunities for additive development.New research tools will help accelerate additive development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliable long‐term function is crucial for flexible and soft bioelectronics. Mechanical defects and permeation of water molecules across the various device layers are the prime drivers of failure, and particularly in applications requiring continuous contact with biofluids (i.e. for implantable applications). To address demanding needs of miniaturization, mechanical compliance and water impermeability, ultra‐thin high‐barrier encapsulations are a promising way to improve device reliability. In this work, the encapsulation properties of vapour phase infiltration (VPI) of inorganic Al2O3 layers deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD), as bilayers with TiO2, onto polyimide and parylene C organic substrates are investigated. The layers are grown in a single reactor and the infiltration is performed in a single process, with a resulting nanometric infiltration depth. Mechanical integrity and hermeticity are characterized through tensile fragmentation tests and accelerated aging tests. Flexible Magnesium sensors monitor water vapor permeability in situ. A remarkable improvement in the crack onset strain (∽2.56 times), interfacial shear strength (∽2.1 times), water vapour transmission rate (∽5.2 times) and lifetime performance (∽7.1 times) is achieved, compared to the non‐infiltrated ALD coatings. Pluri‐infiltrated multilayers are proposed as alternatives to conventional coatings. This work is envisioned to accelerate research progress on hermetic packaging of flexible bioelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research concerns the development and implementation of ground-breaking strategies for improving the sorting, separation, and recycling of common flexible laminate packaging materials. Such packaging laminates incorporate different functional materials in order to achieve the desired mechanical performance and barrier properties. Common components include poly(ethylene) (PE), poly(propylene) (PP), and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), as well as valuable barrier materials such as poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) and aluminium (Al) foils. Although widely used for the protection and preservation of food produce, such packaging materials present significant challenges for established recycling infrastructure and, therefore, to our future ambitions for a circular economy. Experience from the field of ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) has been leveraged to develop novel green solvent systems that delaminate multilayer packaging materials to facilitate the separation and recovery of high-purity commodity plastics and aluminium. This research focuses on the development of a hydrophobic DES and the application of a Design of Experiments (DoE) methodology to investigate the effects of process parameters on the delamination of PE/Al/PET laminate packaging films. Key variables including temperature, time, loading, flake size, and perforations were assessed at laboratory scale using a 1 L filter reactor vessel. The results demonstrate that efficient separation of PE, Al, and PET can be achieved with high yields for material and solvent recovery. Recovered plastic films were subsequently characterised via Fourier-transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) to qualify the quality of plastics for reuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This review covers the decomposition mechanisms of various printing ink binder resins, with a particular focus on their behavior under extrusion conditions in the mechanical recycling process of polyolefin (PO) based plastic packaging. Thermal degradation and hydrolysis of the nitrocellulose (NC) — the most used binder for flexographic surface printing on single-layer flexible plastic packaging, occur concurrently during the mechanical recycling process under 160–210 °C. For other printing ink binders, polyurethane (PU) noticeable degradation takes place between 200 and 300 °C, mostly above 250 °C. However, with the involvement of humidity, degradation by hydrolysis can start from 150 °C. A similar effect is also discovered with the cellulose acetate (CA) derivatives, which are thermally stable until 300 °C and can be hydrolyzed at 100 °C. The thermal stability of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is not influenced by humidity, with thermal stability ranging from 170 to 260 °C, depending on different types. Ultraviolet (UV)-cured acrylics are thermally stable until 400 °C. The hydrolysis degradation can take place at room temperature. Moreover, this review covers the thermal stability of different colorants used for printing ink application and elaborates on several thermal-stable alternatives of some common colors. This study further reviews how the binder resin affects the quality of recyclates, revealing it to be not only induced by the degradation of the binder resin but also by the immiscibility between the plastic and binder resin. In advanced recycling processes, mainly selective dissolution-precipitation and pyrolysis, the presence of binder resin and its degradation products could still affect the quality of the product. This review accentuates the imperative need for in-depth research to unravel the impact of printing ink constituents on the quality of recycled products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an attempt has been made to improve the strength and impermeability of jute bonded nonwoven from 95 to 285 g/m2 areal density by single side or both side lamination with polyethylene sheet of around 15 − 20% by weight using Ethylene Vinyle Acetate adhesive film. Preheating of nonwoven with 100 °C for 20 min and three subsequent runs show a higher peeling force. Adding poly sheets on nonwoven increases tenacity, total energy, bending modulus, seam strength, and tear strength but reduces thermal insulation and makes air and water permeability zero. The effect of one-side lamination, both-side lamination, and areal density of nonwoven has been studied. Higher g/m2 of a nonwoven shows better properties than lower gsm for single-side lamination. The performance of the bag made out of optimised lightweight fabric has been evaluated and compared with the commercial synthetic counterpart, and observed that the developed fabric is better. A process has been suggested without needling. For that light-weight fabric, calendaring temperature, pressure, and speed have been optimised as 150/120 °C, 20KPa, and 0.75 m/min, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing number of available advanced soil constitutive models aimed at capturing soil cyclic behaviour and their subsequent use in seismic applications. Nevertheless, detailed validation studies of these soil constitutive models on benchmark experimental works including seismic soil-structure interaction are still rare. This work presents a short validation study of the seismic performance of an advanced elastoplastic sand constitutive model on a boundary value problem including kinematic and inertial soil-structure interaction. The results of the finite element numerical model for the free field and structural responses are compared with the experimental work on a group of piles analysed in a flexible soil container filled with dry sand and subjected to simplified seismic loading. In general, the comparisons show a satisfactory match between the results of the simulations and the experiments, with the exception of the numerical predictions of settlements. The computed results are discussed based on: i) the dominant stress-paths in soil; ii) parametric studies on the settlement evaluation; iii) the origin of the high frequency motion oscillations to simple sinusoidal input motions; all with respect to potential improvements in the formulation of the elastic behaviour of the constitutive model in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the high global production of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.), its peel is often discarded. Transforming beetroot into flour can reduce waste, improve food security, and decrease environmental pollution. However, large-scale feasibility depends on understanding drying kinetics and optimal storage conditions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different temperatures in the convective drying of whole beetroot and evaluate the influence of laminated flexible and plastic packaging on flour stability over two months. Drying kinetics were analyzed using five models, with the Page and Logarithm models showing the best fit (R2 > 0.99). Def values (1.27 × 10−9 to 2.04 × 10−9 m2 s−1) increased with rising temperatures while drying time was reduced (from 820 to 400 min), indicating efficient diffusion. The activation energy was 29.34 KJ mol−1, comparable to other plant matrices. Drying reduced moisture and increased ash concentration in the flour. The flour showed a good water adsorption capacity and low cohesiveness, making it marketable. Laminated packaging was more effective in controlling physicochemical parameters, reducing hygroscopicity, and maintaining quality over 60 days. In summary, the Page model can predict beetroot drying kinetics effectively, and laminated packaging can control flour stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene‐loaded thermoplastic nanocomposite films must be evaluated for antibacterial activity, mechanical, and barrier properties before being utilized as food packaging. Herein, economically feasible linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE)‐based flexible packaging materials were developed via the melt compounding technique at 170°C temperature by taking advantage of both graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) and nano zinc oxide (ZnO) fillers. Morphological studies reveal that in composites loaded with GNP/ZnO hybrid fillers, ZnO nanoparticles form a network‐like structure throughout the polymer matrix. Simultaneously, GNPs are uniformly dispersed. The inclusion of hybrid nanofiller considerably reduces both the oxygen transmission rate and the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) in LLDPE nanocomposites. A maximum decrease of 36% and 67%, respectively, in both oxygen transmission rate and WVTR is observed for 3 wt% of hybrid filler loading in a thermoplastic matrix containing 1 wt% of nano ZnO. The antibacterial efficacy of the derived nanocomposite films is obvious against gram‐positive (Bacillus subtilis) and gram‐negative (Escherichia coli) bacterial strains. These nanocomposite films have the potential to be successfully utilized as flexible packaging materials owing to their improved thermal, barrier, and antibacterial effectiveness. Highlights: GNP/ZnO was used as a hybrid reinforcing filler in the LLDPE matrix.ZnO nanoparticles establish a network‐like morphology.LLDPE nanocomposite films exhibited excellent antibacterial activity.Oxygen and water vapor barrier properties were significantly improved.The thermoplastic composite films could be used as food packaging materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the EU's ambitious goals is to ensure all plastic packaging is reusable or recyclable by 2030. However, achieving higher recycling rates, particularly in flexible multilayer food packaging, is challenging due to the combination of diverse materials. This highlights the importance of designing for recyclability and exploring alternative barrier solutions. In this study, several types of coatings, such as ORMOCER® (Fraunhofer-ISC, Würzburg, Germany) Michem® Flex B3513 (Michelman International Belgium SRL, Aubange, Belgium), and PVOH (Kuraray Europe GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany), are applied on different polypropylene substrates, including cast PP (CPP70), SiOx, and AlOx-coated PP films. The effect of double coating and optimized curing conditions of ORMOCER® on the oxygen permeability of CPP70 was also investigated. The results showed significant improvements in the barrier properties of PP/SiOx and OPP/AlOx films, and OTR values less than 0.1 cm3/m2·d·bar were achieved. It was also found that ORMOCER® and Michem® Flex B3513 could enhance the oxygen barrier property of CPP70 and the OTR value reduced by a factor of 88 and 551, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the need to employ recyclable materials for food packaging, the resurgence of paper as a primary flexible packaging material is driven by consumer trust in paper and its renewable wood fibre composition, strengthened by a well‐established recycling infrastructure. A diverse range of coated papers and coatings has become accessible in the market, specifically tailored for applications in horizontal and vertical form‐fill sealing. Within the framework of the CORNET‐TETRA project HBC.2021.0288 REPAC2, a careful selection of 16 food‐grade coated papers and/or coatings, slated for introduction to the market either presently or within the next 2 years, has been undertaken. This study focused on evaluating the processing window for superior hot tack and cooled seal performance of coated papers, in relation with the composition of paper coatings as identified using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements, and their thermal softening or melting characteristics as identified through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermal behaviour in DSC thermograms is used to categorize the commercial coated papers into distinct classes. Class I papers, mainly with acrylic‐based coatings, exhibit high hot tack strengths (0.2–0.7 N/mm) and a glass transition temperature (Tg) close to the seal initiation temperature but do not considerably gain strength with further cooling. Class II papers are thermally inert in DSC with minimal thermoplastics, leading to weak seals. In contrast, classes III and IV, including wax‐based and polyolefin‐based or polyvinylalcohol‐based (PVOH) coatings, respectively, show low initial hot tack strengths that considerably increase upon adequate cooling. Particularly, the Class IV papers with polyolefin‐based coatings have well‐performing seals. Despite having relatively low hot tack strengths after cool times of 0.1 s, below 0.3 N/mm, high strengths can be obtained after adequate cooling with outliers reaching 0.74 and 1.14 N/mm. Additionally, the influences of seal parameters on seal performance were evaluated. The study reveals that cool time, seal pressure and, to a lesser extent, seal time significantly impact hot tack strength, consistent with prior research. The critical role of jaw temperature in heat conductive sealing is affirmed, as it dictates the efficacy of other seal parameters. Seal initiation occurs at 75°C for four papers, and nine others necessitate temperatures equal to or exceeding 100°C, with one paper only displaying seal initiation at 195°C. This variation highlights the requisite for tailored temperature windows for effective sealing of these papers. As such, deeper insights into the intricate interplay between coating composition, thermal properties and seal performance are obtained in order to support advances in sustainable packaging technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study develops an impermeable and flexible sheet for food packaging using aluminium foil and jute web. A hot melt sheet is used for laminating foil with a jute web. A simple manufacturing process has been suggested. The effect of different process parameters has been studied and optimized. The optimized calendaring temperature (top/bottom), pressure, and speed are 150/120°C, 15 kPa, and 1 m/min, respectively. Preheating and three consecutive runs show higher tenacity. This hybrid sheet uses around 88% or 78% jute (by weight) in one and both side laminated sheets, respectively. The failure mechanism shows the role of fibre-to-foil bonding. The developed fabric is lighter and more cost-effective than jute woven laminated fabric. The packet from hybrid fabric is sufficiently strong and pliable with excellent barrier properties to use as a hygienic sheet for food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, bio-based polymeric blends have been prepared for applications in the field of sustainable food packaging, starting from two furan-based homopolymers, poly(hexamethylene 2,5-furanoate) (PHF) and poly(pentamethylene 2,5-furanoate) (PPeF). PHF and PPeF were synthesized by two-step melt polycondensation—a solvent-free synthetic strategy—and then binary physical mixtures, PHF/PPeF, with different weight compositions were prepared by dissolution in a common solvent. The blends were processed into compression-moulded films, and molecular, morphological, structural, thermal, and mechanical characterizations were subsequently carried out. Blending did not negatively affect the thermal stability of the parent homopolymers, and good compatibility between them was observed. This strategy also allowed for the modulation of the chain rigidity as well as of the crystallinity, simply by acting on the relative weight amount of the homopolymers. From a mechanical point of view, the presence of PPeF led to a reduction in stiffness and an increase in the elongation at break, obtaining materials with an elastomeric behaviour. Evaluation of the gas barrier properties confirmed that the good barrier properties of PHF were preserved by blending. Finally, lab-scale composting tests confirmed a greater weight loss of the mixtures with respect to the PHF homopolymer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employs X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thickness measurements, permeation analysis and laser scanning microscopy to analyse the stretch tolerance in dependence of the chemical composition and deposition rates of plasma‐enhanced chemical vapour deposition coatings. SiOx and SiOCH coatings are deposited on polyethylene terephthalate film using a full factorial study design of three parameters (monomer/oxygen mass flow and pulse duration). They exhibit distinct differences, with the monomer mass flow emerging as a critical factor influencing deposition rates and stretch tolerance. SiOCH coatings demonstrate faster growth rates due to higher monomer flow. SiOx coatings exhibit superior barrier performance. Stretch tolerance does not solely correlate with atomic composition, since a SiOx coating with higher‐than‐predicted stretch tolerance was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilayer films are widely used in the food industry because they allow the combination of properties of different materials to increase product shelf life without sacrificing product value. Despite the associated benefits, these films are difficult to recycle due to material immiscibility and difficult layer separation. Thus, the purpose of this research is to investigate the feasibility of incorporating recycled plastic material from the multi‐material film industry into extruded films for food packaging. To simulate the thermomechanical recycling, two different post‐industrial polymeric wastes of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) (with linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) or with ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH)), were reprocessed four times in a single‐screw extruder. Moreover, these polymeric wastes were blended with virgin LDPE to improve the extrusion process control and to assess their effect on the blend properties. The extrusion experiments demonstrate that reprocessing of multilayer films and processing of their blends with virgin LDPE is feasible. Moreover, the mechanical and thermal properties of the corresponding films are not negatively affected when compared with those of virgin LDPE films. Nevertheless, the optical properties of recycled EVOH films, were lower than those of virgin LDPE or recycled LLDPE, with high haze and low gloss. Highlights: Two multilayer film scraps were reprocessed and blended with virgin LDPE.Thin film samples were produced by blown film extrusion.Films containing EVOH presented the worst optical properties.The presence of EVOH did not negatively affect the extrusion process.Mechanical and thermal properties were not significantly affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, there is a rising interest in the packaging industry regarding more environment‐friendly (i.e. biodegradable and/or compostable) polymer‐based solutions, especially for film blowing applications. However, replacing traditional, fossil resource‐based polymers typically used for such applications is not an easy task, since the more environment‐friendly solutions must have adequate features in terms of processability and final properties. In this work, three commercial biodegradable (and, at least partially, biobased) polymers were investigated by a preliminary rheological and mechanical analysis, in order to perform film manufacturing experiments in laboratory equipment. Furthermore, oxygen and water vapour barrier properties were studied by permeability measurements. The investigation was ultimately performed on films produced in industrial equipment, and the results were compared to those for a typical, standard polypropylene (PP) film used in flexible packaging applications. It was found that the mechanical properties were adequate (in some cases, even up to 25–30% higher than for the PP counterpart), as well as oxygen permeability. On the other hand, water permeability was significantly higher than that of PP films, and this should be taken into account in cases where high water vapour barrier properties are required. © 2024 Society of Industrial Chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A smooth and dense surface of the base paper is advantageous when the goal is to apply a liquid coating as a barrier layer. For such a base paper, non-wood fibers derived from wheat straw could be an alternative to wood fibers. In this research paper, wheat straw pulp was refined with different beating levels (up to 600 revolutions) followed by different calendering pressure loads (up to 50 N/mm) to test its influence on mechanical and surface properties. Alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) was used as sizing agent with concentrations up to 0.2 wt% followed by a mineral-based precoating to test its influence on the smoothness. Eucalyptus pulp was chosen as a benchmark. After beating, the initial Schopper-Riegler degrees of 28 °SR increased to 56 °SR. Beating also increased the tensile index from 24 to 49 Nm/g, the burst index from 1.2 to 2.8 kPa·m²/g, and the tear index decreased from 3.3 to 2.8 mN·m²/g. Calendering reduced the initial roughness of 370 mL/min to 30 mL/min. When precoated and calendered again, the value was lowered to 15 mL/min. In summary, wheat straw paper is a relevant alternative to wood-derived base paper to produce barrier papers. Compared to eucalyptus, wheat straw paper showed better smoothness and much lower air permeability indicating excellent suitability for barrier coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines how market knowledge resources lead to competitive advantage for collaborative travel agencies (CTAs) via process innovation capabilities and value co-creation competence of CTAs. Data collection comes from key managers of travel agencies, and the partial least squares (PLS) were used for model analysis. The findings point out that market knowledge resources and absorptive capacities as two key factors that lead to the competitive advantage of CTAs; CTAs and their partners co-create value that remains relevant and in line with changing customer expectations; agile and flexible processes are essential for adapting to rapidly evolving tourism market conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research addresses a flexible vehicle scheduling problem considering precedence constraints (FVS‐P problem), which is prevalent in many scenic areas worldwide. Each group of tourists in the FVS‐P problem comprises a set of visit requests that must be served by shuttle vehicles in a predefined order. A three‐indexed integer linear programming model is introduced. Furthermore, an index‐reduction strategy is proposed to strengthen the model. A math‐heuristic route‐segment generation algorithm embedded in a mathematical model is designed to solve the FVS‐P problem, particularly in the case of large‐sized instances. Experiments on different sizes of near‐practical instances validate the mathematical models and the algorithm. The proposed math‐heuristic can provide better solutions for large‐sized instances in a much shorter time than the models. The trade‐off between tourists' feelings and the cost of the area is investigated to provide further insights for managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the stability of weld seams in the neck of flexible containers made from polyethylene film for silage and storage of fresh ground corn mass as feed during thermal welding using a movable welding module. An analysis of the thermal conductivity of polyethylene film was conducted to determine temperature change pattern in the thin layer over time. The values obtained were used to establish optimal operating limits for the heating device during welding process. Subsequently, the resistance to rupture of the polyethylene film seams welded at different temperatures was evaluated by generating vacuum pressure in a specially designed installation. The results of polyethylene film PE-115 samples showed a pattern of limiting vacuum pressure values corresponding to different welding temperatures. The mathematical function obtained was used to identify the maximum value of the burst pressure of weld seams, which corresponded to 61.8 kPa at a temperature of 177oC. These results allowed for the determination of the optimal welding mode for sealing the container neck. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic or bioplastic? Which is the least impactful flexible packaging solution for the environment? In literature, few works try to answer this question, and most of them are focused on food packaging applications, comparing only polylactic acid (PLA) with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or other virgin plastics. Besides these lacks in the literature, this work aims at contributing to the scientific knowledge, helping in the meanwhile packaging companies to choose the best solution also for hygienic and sanitary applications as far as the environmental impact is concerned. The study is focused on the life cycle assessment of four solutions made of maize starch, PLA and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and a recycled LDPE (R‐LDPE). The functional unit was a flexible packaging containing 10 sanitary towels. Primary data were retrieved thanks to an Italian company, whereas secondary data were extracted from the Ecoinvent 3.7 database. The SimaPro 9.4 software has been used to calculate the global warming, water consumption, acidification and abiotic depletion of elements and fossil fuels of each packaging solution. The results show that the raw materials and packaging production are the most impactful phases during the life cycle of plastics and bioplastics packaging, if compared to the distribution phase, the auxiliary materials involved and the final disposal. Great benefits could be gained using recycled plastics, which allow to reduce the extraction of virgin materials and overall appear as the best solution from an environmental point of view to package also sanitary products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the dynamic linkages between agricultural and energy markets, with a focus on an econometric analysis of multivariate stochastic dynamics based on the joint distribution of state variables. The analysis relies on a quantile approach followed by the evaluation of a copula. Applied to nonlinear price dynamics, the approach is flexible and supports a general evaluation of impulse response functions representing how prices adjust over time and across markets in response to a given shock. The analysis allows for arbitrary distribution functions; it captures own‐price and cross‐price dynamics that can depend on the nature of shocks; and it also allows current changes to affect all moments of the future price distributions. The usefulness of the approach is illustrated in an econometric investigation of dynamic linkages in US corn, ethanol, and crude oil markets. We show how price adjustments can vary across quantiles, reflecting different speeds of adjustments depending on market conditions. We find evidence of nonlinear dynamics specific to the tails of the price distributions. We uncover evidence of positive contemporaneous codependence, especially tail dependence. We show how price shocks affect mean, variance, skewness as well as kurtosis of future price distributions. These results stress the importance of going beyond a standard mean‐variance analysis. They also shed new light on the deep linkages existing in the food‐fuel nexus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an analysis of milk production in Kazakhstan and identifies the reason for its low level, which is due to deficient feed, especially in small farms and in the private sector. The difficulty of saving the limited silage volume is due to the lack of preparation technology for preventing spoilage. The objective of this work is to complete the necessary equipment of a mobile tractor-trailer to reduce the specific energy consumption when preparing silage in flexible containers using a vacuum seal to increase the productivity of dairy cattle farming in smallholder and the private sector of the Republic. The basic rational parameters for sealing the silage by vacuum in the field on a mobile tractor-trailer for ease of transport and storage are obtained: silage weight in a flexible container - 769.6 kg, geometric dimensions of the sealed container by height (0.90 m), width (0.85 m) and length (0.85 m). The efficiency of the specific energy consumption of the proposed method for silage preparation is established at 35% compared with the traditional method. The recommended technology of silage preparation in flexible containers will be possible when conventional tractor-trailers are retrofitted with standard portable equipment (internal combustion engine-based (ICE) electric generator, vacuum pump, film welder). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A smooth and dense surface of the base paper is advantageous when the goal is to apply a liquid coating as a barrier layer. For such a base paper, non-wood fibers derived from wheat straw could be an alternative to wood fibers. In this research paper, wheat straw pulp was refined with different beating levels (up to 600 revolutions) followed by different calendering pressure loads (up to 50 N/mm) to test its influence on mechanical and surface properties. Alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) was used as sizing agent with concentrations up to 0.2 wt% followed by a mineral-based precoating to test its influence on the smoothness. Eucalyptus pulp was chosen as a benchmark. After beating, the initial Schopper-Riegler degrees of 28 °SR increased to 56 °SR. Beating also increased the tensile index from 24 to 49 Nm/g, the burst index from 1.2 to 2.8 kPa·m²/g, and the tear index decreased from 3.3 to 2.8 mN·m2/g. Calendering reduced the initial roughness of 370 mL/min to 30 mL/min. When precoated and calendered again, the value was lowered to 15 mL/min. In summary, wheat straw paper is a relevant alternative to wood-derived base paper to produce barrier papers. Compared to eucalyptus, wheat straw paper showed better smoothness and much lower air permeability indicating excellent suitability for barrier coating.

Conversion of chemical feedstocks derived from fossil fuels to virgin polymer, manufacturing of plastics in coal-dependent economies, and increasing consumption of virgin polymers for plastics packaging contribute significantly to environmental issues and the challenges we face. Nowadays, promoting sustainable development has become the consensus of more and more countries. Among them, the recycling of multilayer packaging is a huge challenge. Due to the complexity of its structure and materials, as well as the limitations of existing recycling frameworks, currently, multilayer packaging cannot be commercially recycled thus resulting in a series of circular economy challenges. It is undeniable that multilayer packaging offers many positive effects on products and consumers, so banning the use of such packaging would be unwise and unrealistic. Developing the appropriate processes to recycle multilayer packaging is the most feasible strategy. In recent years, there have been some studies devoted to the recycling process of multilayer packaging. Many of the processes being developed involve the use of solvents. Based on the recycled products, we categorised these recycling processes as solvent-based recycling, including physical dissolution and chemical depolymerisation. In physical dissolution, there are mainly two approaches named delamination and selective dissolution–precipitation. Focusing on these processes, this paper reviews the solvents developed and used in the last 20 years for the recycling of polymers from multilayer packaging waste and gives a summary of their advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, product quality, ease of processing, and environmental impact. Based on existing research, one could conclude that solvent-based recycling methods have the potential to be commercialised and become part of a standard recycling process for polymer-based multilayer packaging. The combined use of multiple solvent-based recycling processes could be a breakthrough in achieving unified recycling of multilayer packaging with different components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-molecular-weight poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lactide) (PLLA-PEG-PLLA) is a flexible and biodegradable bioplastic that has promising potential in flexible food packaging but it has no antibacterial ability. Thus, in this work, the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (nano-ZnOs) which have antimicrobial activity on various properties of PLLA-PEG-PLLA was determined. The addition of nano-ZnOs enhanced the crystallization, tensile, UV-barrier, and antibacterial properties of PLLA-PEG-PLLA. However, the crystallization and tensile properties of nanocomposite films decreased again as the nano-ZnO increased beyond 2 wt%. The nano-ZnO was well distributed in the PLLA-PEG-PLLA matrix when the nano-ZnO content did not exceed 2 wt% and exhibited some nano-ZnO agglomerates when the nano-ZnO content was higher than 2 wt%. The thermal stability and moisture uptake of the PLLA-PEG-PLLA matrix decreased and the film's opacity increased as the nano-ZnO content increased. The PLLA-PEG-PLLA/ZnO nanocomposite films showed good antibacterial activity against bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. It can be concluded that nano-ZnOs can be used as a multi-functional filler of the flexible PLLA-PEG-PLLA. As a result, the addition of nano-ZnOs as a nucleating, reinforcing, UV-screening, and antibacterial agent in the flexible PLLA-PEG-PLLA matrix may provide protection for both the food and the packaging during transportation and storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substantial R &D efforts are currently directed towards the development of combined heat and power (CHP) systems that automatically and seamlessly connect to the power grid. In this paper we develop a real options model to assess the impact that the operational flexibility characterizing such systems will have on the optimal timing and capacity associated with investments in CHP plants. We take the viewpoint of a manufacturer operating in an energy-intensive industry who contemplates investing in CHP. We discuss and compare investments in two types of CHP systems: a standard one that is operationally rigid and a technologically advanced one that is operationally flexible. The interaction between temporal and operational flexibility under uncertainty and irreversibility is central to our analysis. We show that operational flexibility guarantees earlier investment but has an ambiguous effect in terms of capacity. In particular, when operational flexibility is very valuable the potential investor is opting for investing in a plant with larger productive capacity. The potential investor chooses a smaller CHP unit if otherwise. A numerical exercise calibrated using data from the Italian pulp and paper and electricity industries complements our theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swordtip squid (Uroteuthis edulis) is characterized by a complex population structure and rapid generation renewal and sensitive to habitat changes. Its population growth response to environmental variations implies its flexible life history traits. In this study, with the samples collected in the north‐central waters of the East China Sea from 2017 to 2021, the daily growth of the spring stock was analyzed based on the age and increment width of statolith. The gradient forest method (GFM) and generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) were used to explore the changes in the weights of environmental variables and the relationships between daily growth and environmental variables in various growth stages. The age of the samples collected from 2017 to 2021 mainly ranged from 180 to 240 days, and the spring stock was the dominant stock. According to the distance from daily increment to core in the statolith, the life history of the spring stock was divided into four growth stages (S1 embryo–larval stage, S2 juvenile stage, S3 subadult stage, and S4 adult stage). For the spring stock, the cumulative weight of temperature and salinity in the population growth was the largest in S1 stage; the cumulative weight of temperature and velocity was the largest in S2 stage; the cumulative weight of temperature was the largest in S3 stage; and the cumulative weight of mixed layer depth (MLD), temperature, and salinity was the largest in S4 stage. The relationship between temperature at the depth of 25 m (T25) and daily growth of the spring stock was first positively correlated (S1–S2), then negatively correlated (S3), and finally positively correlated (S4). The relationship between environment variable and growth of the spring stock gradually decreased with the increase in MLD (30 to 50 m) and SSS (S3–S4, 32.2‰ to 33.2‰) and gradually increased with the increase in the velocity of currents (S1,.1 to.2 m/s). The differences in the responses of the spring stock to environmental variations in different growth stages may lead to the changes in the growth traits for the spring stock. This study provides a scientific basis for a comprehensive understanding of the life history traits of U. edulis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is a biodegradable polymer with significant potential for use in food packaging. However, its limited melt strength poses a challenge when employing film‐blowing techniques to produce flexible packaging. To overcome this obstacle, we developed blends consisting of 70 wt% PHBV and 30 wt% poly(butylene‐co‐succinate‐co‐adipate) (PBSA). Organic peroxides such as dicumyl peroxide and 2,5‐dimethyl‐2,5‐di‐(tert‐butylperoxy)hexane, were utilized as reactive compatibilizers to enhance the interfacial adhesion between the polymers. Additionally, acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) was employed as a plasticizer to improve processability and ductility. The inclusion of organic peroxides resulted in the formation of long‐branched structures, as confirmed by the van‐Gurp‐Palmen plot. The melt flow index decreased from 30 to 9.8 g/10 min without ATBC and 15.5 g/10 min with ATBC. Successful production of blown PHBV/PBSA films was achieved on a pilot scale (bubble height 180 cm). These films exhibited heat‐sealing capability and increased impact strength (7.7 kJ/m2). Moreover, the films maintained a maximum elongation at break of 4% during a 3‐month storage experiment with frozen food. Food safety was assessed through overall migration experiments, and the non‐plasticized films received approval. In conclusion, the compatibilized PHBV/PBSA blends demonstrate great potential as materials for manufacturing film‐blown flexible packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While it is of great importance to evaluate plastic waste within the framework of a circular economy today, it is also of great importance to evaluate flexible plastic packaging, which is increasingly used in order to prevent environmental problems. To avoid the disadvantages experienced in recycling due to its multilayer nature, in this study, a life cycle assessment was made for flexible packages consisting of PET/metallized PET/PE and PP/metallized PP/PP with the data provided by the R&D Center of Elif Plastik Ambalaj Sanayi ve Tic. A.Ş.-Huhtamaki Flexibles Istanbul. Within the scope of this evaluation, two types of flexible packaging were analyzed, and an optimal flexible packaging structure for Türkiye was revealed by comparing different scenarios based on different methods in SimaPro 8.1.1.16. LCA was performed for both packages with cumulative energy demand (CED) and CML-IA methods. Four scenarios with different amounts of recycled raw materials were compared against the existing system and a fifth scenario, where electricity is assumed to be obtained from solar energy. Overall, we found that the largest environmental impact was in the existing system. However, despite being a renewable energy source, we observed that the solar energy scenario had almost as significant an impact as the existing system. When scenarios involving recycled raw materials were examined, we clearly observed that as the amount of recycled raw materials increased, the environmental impact decreased. Therefore, it emerged that the scenario with the highest amount of recycled raw materials is the most optimal scenario in many respects. There are clear differences in the results due to differences in plastic types. This study, conducted with real data, is highly important for the flexible packaging literature. A table has been provided for changing the type of plastic, changing the source of electricity generation, and reducing waste by using recycled raw materials in order to make flexible packaging more environmentally beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its inception nearly 100 years ago, flexible packaging has seen tremendous growth due to its ability to meet packaging needs at the lowest cost and with the least amount of material usage. The modern era of flexible packaging began in the early twentieth century with the introduction of cellophane, a transparent "wonder" film which enabled the development of large distribution channels of pre-packaged goods and changed consumer lifestyles and buying habits. New processes and materials have continually advanced flexible packaging technology. In concert, the scientific understanding of materials and polymer processing has progressed. This paper traces the history of flexible packaging, describing major developments in technology and the science behind them. Flexible packaging has constantly evolved to meet new demands and challenges. This bodes well for the future as the industry address its end-of-life shortcomings and moves towards a more circular economy. Learnings from the past, guided by improved scientific insight and engineering principles, can be leveraged to adapt flexible packaging to changing market, societal and regulatory demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the pursuit of enhancing food packaging, nanotechnology, particularly green silver nanoparticles (G-AgNPs), have gained prominence for its remarkable antimicrobial properties with high potential for food shelf-life extension. Our study aims to develop corn starch-based coating materials reinforced with G-AgNPs. The mechanical properties were examined using a uniaxial tensile tester, revealing that starch coated with the highest G-AgNPs concentration (12.75 ppm) exhibited UTS of 87.6 MPa compared to 48.48 MPa of control paper, a significant (p < 0.02) 65% increase. The assessment of the WVP showcased a statistical reduction in permeability by up to 8% with the incorporation of the hydrophobic layer. Furthermore, antibacterial properties were assessed following ISO 22196:2011, demonstrating a strong and concentration-dependent activity of G-AgNPs against E. coli. All samples successfully disintegrated in both simulated environments (soil and seawater), including samples presenting G-AgNPs. In the food trial analysis, the presence of starch and G-AgNPs significantly reduced weight loss after 6 days, with cherry tomatoes decreasing by 8.59% and green grapes by 6.77% only. The results of this study contribute to the advancement of environmentally friendly packaging materials, aligning with the UN sustainable development goals of reducing food waste and promoting sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigated the ultrasound (U) enhancement of steam (S, SU), steam/air (SA, SAU) and hot water (W, WU) processes for the pasteurization of high acid foods in flexible pouches. A specially designed ultrasound setup was developed to process cut pineapples and apples in sugar solution that were pre-packaged in flexible retort pouches with steam and ultrasound combination treatments. An ultrasonic hot water bath was used to process these pre-packaged products under water and ultrasound combinations. All pasteurization techniques were designed to deliver a target lethality (F90 °C-10 min) through heat penetration testing and were compared for reduction in process time and improvement in product quality. Compared S, SA and W, the ultrasound assisted processes, SU, SAU, and WU, resulted in significantly reduced processing times presumably due to the induced ultrasound agitation and helped to improve the product quality. The resulting impact of these processes on quality of apple and pineapple slices depended on the specific process and quality indices, but the quality parameters were considerably better for the ultrasound assisted processes. Hence, ultrasound pasteurization was recommended as another viable technique for agitation processing of foods in flexible containers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background. Candy is a popular confection worldwide, and it would be beneficial to society if it were converted into a source of antioxidant molecules to eliminate its adverse health effects. The amount of antioxidants available even in fruit candies is questionable due to the high thermal processing losses they undergo and the presence of various food additives. Plantains (Musa paradisiaca) are less known as good sources of biotherapeutic antioxidants, namely l-tryptophan, serotonin and melatonin, and consumption of this highly nutritious fruit is limited to underdeveloped and developing countries. The objectives of this study are: to develop a functional antioxidant-rich sugar-free plantain-based candy with valuable contents of the mentioned biomolecules in synergy; and to ensure its extended shelf life without compromising its physicochemical properties and functionality by wrapping it with a suitable packaging laminate. Experimental approach. To accomplish the first objective, lyophilized plantain powder, sorbitol and mannitol were used as base materials with minimal additives under minimal processing conditions to reduce processing loss. Sensory, proximate, physicochemical and phytochemical properties, including the antioxidant synergy among the mentioned biomolecules of the developed candies were evaluated. For the second objective, the candies were enclosed in two different flexible packaging laminates and the optimal packaging was determined based on the microbiological safety and sensory appeal of the wrapped candies. Subsequently, the above-mentioned properties of the packaged (in the most suitable laminate) candies were evaluated at regular time intervals during storage for assessment of their shelf life. Results and conclusions. The candy had a characteristic flavour of plantain, uniform dark brown colour, rich mouthfeel, pleasant aroma, moderately hard texture and moderate sweetness, along with high antioxidant activity and considerable content of l-tryptophan, serotonin and melatonin (present as a synergistic consortium). During storage of the packaged candy under ambient conditions, it remained microbiologically safe for up to 56 days, and also maintained sensory attributes, antioxidant activity and synergy compared to the control candy. Novelty and scientific contribution. This newly developed semi-hard sugar-free candy with high antioxidant content, containing three important antioxidants, namely l-tryptophan, serotonin and melatonin, could be a good source of biotherapeutic molecules and a substitute for commercial candies consumed globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorted flexible polyethylene packaging waste was washed on a laboratory scale at both 25 and 40°C with water alone, with water and added NaOH, and with water and added detergent. The washed materials were then compounded using a twin‐screw extruder and injection molded. The results were compared with those for an unwashed and a large‐scale high‐intensity sample washed with NaOH at 70–80°C. An intensive washing combined with high temperature gave a lower extensibility both in the molten and solid states presumably because of a greater degradation of the recycled material. Washing with NaOH resulted in the lowest strain‐at‐break in both the melt and solid states, whereas washing with water alone or with a detergent gave similar strain‐at‐break levels. The melt strength, the stiffness and tensile strengths at room temperature, and the thermal properties were less affected by the washing procedure. Although the final properties seem to be useful in general there were still some trade‐offs between the washing condition and the degradation. While these results were expected, the influence of washing parameters on final product, for example, injection molded sample, has to our knowledge not been shown before especially regarding the mechanical properties. Highlights: Post‐consumer flexible polyethylene packaging waste was studied with a focus on washing conditions.The influence of washing conditions on thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties of recycled samples was investigated.High‐intensity washing at high temperature caused significant degradation of the material, this was to our understanding shown for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to review the research progress in the realization of the organic–inorganic hybrid thin-film packaging of flexible organic electroluminescent devices using the PEALD (plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition) and MLD (molecular layer deposition) techniques. Firstly, the importance and application prospect of organic electroluminescent devices in the field of flexible electronics are introduced. Subsequently, the principles, characteristics and applications of PEALD and MLD technologies in device packaging are described in detail. Then, the methods and process optimization strategies for the preparation of organic–inorganic hybrid thin-film encapsulation layers using PEALD and MLD technologies are reviewed. Further, the research results on the encapsulation effect, stability and reliability of organic–inorganic hybrid thin-film encapsulation layers in flexible organic electroluminescent devices are discussed. Finally, the current research progress is summarized, and the future research directions and development trends are prospected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmentally aware consumers are a reality. Young consumers, specifically Gen Zers, are key given their role in sustainable behaviour and in influencing their peers and other generations. In purchases of everyday products, consumers may rely on immediate cues to facilitate their decisions. Additionally, they may face trade-offs between eco-friendliness and the product's perceived convenience and usability. The study investigates the influence of Gen Zers' perceptions of packaging sustainability and ergonomics in their environmental attitude and intention to purchase products. It provides an alternative perspective to the attitude-behaviour gap and managerial insights regarding packaging as an information cue to everyday products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]