Durable, safe and smart flexible polymer packaging

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This project is a continuation of a previous initiative supported by the PRIMA program for three years. The additional two years will enable the completion of the project led by Professor Abdellah Ajji at Polytechnique Montréal, which is also supported by the NSERC Alliance program. The project focuses on the development of innovative, sustainable, safe, active, and intelligent packaging solutions. In collaboration with the industrial partner ProAmpac, the work will continue scaling up the industrial production of packaging incorporating oxygen absorbers, as well as antibacterial and antiviral functionalities. In parallel, new research themes will be initiated, involving five doctoral students and three postdoctoral researchers, as outlined below.

1.Development of sustainable packaging solutions

1.1. Development of high oxygen-barrier coatings for flexible paper- or plastic-based packaging
1.2. Reduction of material usage through nanocomposites or molecular orientation strategies
1.3. Development of packaging materials from natural or renewable resources that are biodegradable or compostable

2. Development of active and safe packaging

2.1 Development of flexible polymer packaging capable of absorbing various gases
2.2 Development of antibacterial packaging through the incorporation of additives or the controlled release of active agents
2.3 Development of antibacterial overpack solutions

3. Development of active and intelligent packaging

3.1 Development of systems for the detection of volatile compounds generated during food degradation

The expected outcomes include demonstrating the commercial feasibility of producing antibacterial, antiviral, and oxygen-absorbing packaging, as well as proof of concept for intelligent packaging with detection capabilities, paper-based packaging with high oxygen-barrier performance, and biodegradable packaging with strong functional properties.