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Kansas State University

Research Foundation
Kansas State University
2005 Research Park Circle
Suite 105
Manhattan, KS 66502-5020
Tel: 785-532-5720
Fax: 785-532-3920
tech.transfer@k-state.edu

Bio-Nanocomposite Packaging Films Based on Polyvinyl Alcohol, Starch, Clay, and Plasticizers

Reference Number: 09-05

Inventors: Sajid Alavi and Xiaozhi Tang

Description:

Current plastic packaging films are non-biodegradable and use up valuable, scarce non-renewable resources such as petroleum. With environmental concerns mounting and extreme price fluctuations causing uncertainty in the petroleum market, many in the packaging industry are exploring alternatives to traditional petroleum based products, with a focus on the development of biodegradable packaging films produced from renewable materials. With performance and cost still being paramount, the industry is now being forced to get creative with its use of materials to create a product that is able to compete with current plastic, while maintaining or exceeding its properties, in an effort to reduce waste.

Researchers at Kansas State University have developed a mixture of PVOH, starch, nanoclay, plasticizers, and other ingredients to create a biodegradable film to overcome the above mentioned issues. This biopolymer based film allows for cost effective packaging alternatives that exhibit performance and production properties similar to that of traditional plastic packaging, while reducing the use of petroleum. Aside from the material composition, this invention also provides for an extrusion based method for producing the PVOH/starch nanocomposite materials.

Advantages:

  • Cost effective
  • Biodegradable and environmentally friendly
  • Favorable mechanical properties
  • Improved water resistance and thermal properties
  • Relatively simple and high throughput processing methods

Applications

  • The bio-nanocomposite can be processed into film, injection molded, or thermoformed plastic objects, and therefore provides for a replacement of many traditional plastic based products including, but not limited to, packaging materials, disposable utensils, trash bags, films, and containers.

Patent Status

  • Provisional patent application filed in April 2009.

Kansas State University Research Foundation seeks to have discussions with companies that are interested in licensing and/or research collaborations.

Interested parties should contact:

National Institute for Strategic Technology Acquisition and Commercialization (NISTAC)
2005 Research Park Circle Manhattan, KS 66502
Tel: 785-532-3900 Fax: 785-532-3909
E-Mail: nistac@ksu.edu