New Breakthrough in biodegradable food packaging: Edible coating technology leads the packaging revolution

Recently, an innovative technology led by the R&D team of Jiaoda Nagui (Nanjing) Technology Co., LTD. - "All-Bio-based Water-based barrier Coating" - has made significant progress in the field of food packaging. This technology has successfully addressed the balance challenge between barrier performance and cost efficiency of traditional degradable materials, and is expected to accelerate the transformation of the food packaging industry towards sustainability.

The predicament of traditional plastic packaging

Of the plastic packaging produced globally each year, nearly 40% is used in the food industry. Most of it is difficult to be effectively recycled and eventually ends up in landfills or the natural environment, causing continuous pollution. Although paper-based packaging is favored, its oil and moisture resistance often relies on non-biodegradable plastic laminates (such as PE laminates), making it difficult to separate during recycling and greatly reducing its actual sustainability.

Technical core: From "Degradable" to "high-performance recyclable"

Relying on the scientific research achievements of the School of Materials Science and Engineering of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Nanosi team of Jiao Tong University has developed a water-based coating with natural polysaccharides and bio-based polyester as the core components. This coating has the following characteristics:

The unification of full biodegradability and recyclability

The coating can be completely degraded within 90 days under industrial composting conditions. Meanwhile, the coated paper can be directly fed into the existing waste paper recycling system without special separation treatment, truly achieving "recyclable in pulp".

Outstanding functionality

Tests show that the water vapor barrier performance of coated paper is close to that of traditional PE laminated paper, and its oil resistance meets the standards for food contact materials, making it suitable for packaging requirements of oily and moisture-containing foods.

Safe and accessible

All raw materials comply with the food contact material regulations of China, the European Union and the US FDA. They do not contain plasticizers or perfluorinated compounds, ensuring food safety while also clearing the "green trade barriers" for export enterprises.

The market application has been implemented

At present, this technology has been successfully applied in scenarios such as disposable paper cups, paper bowls, and fast food packaging paper. Several domestic chain restaurant brands are piloting its use. Feedback shows that its heat sealing performance and printing adaptability both meet the requirements of industrial production.

"Not only have we verified the performance in the laboratory, but we have also achieved cost control in large-scale production," said the R&D director of Jiaotong University's Nasi. "Compared with traditional PE laminated paper, our coated paper has become competitive in terms of overall cost."

Industry Observation: Driven by both policy and Consumption

With the escalation of "plastic restriction orders" worldwide (such as the EU's SUP directive and China's "Action Plan for Plastic Pollution Control during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period"), the green transformation of food packaging has become an inevitable trend. Meanwhile, consumers' willingness to pay for eco-friendly packaging has been increasing year by year, driving brand owners to accelerate the de-plasticization of their supply chains.

"Technological breakthroughs are just the first step," industry analysts pointed out. "The key lies in forming a closed-loop system from materials, processing to recycling." Innovative technology enterprises like Jiaoda Nagui are providing key fulcrums for the closed loop."

Future Outlook

It is learned that the company will focus on developing the high-temperature resistance of coating materials in the next step to expand to more scenarios such as microwave food packaging and coffee cup LIDS. Meanwhile, the team is collaborating with domestic and foreign recycling enterprises to establish a targeted recycling demonstration line for coated paper, further consolidating the foundation of the circular economy.

"Our vision is not only to replace plastic," the founder of the enterprise emphasized, "but also to build a packaging logic of 'originating from nature and returning to nature', so that every package no longer becomes a burden on the Earth."

Between environmental protection and practicality, biodegradable food packaging is taking a third path - this path may no longer require consumers to choose between convenience and responsibility, but rather through technological innovation, making sustainability occur naturally.