SPECIFIC: Starch – Poly Ethylene Compounds in Films with Improved barrier Characteristics

This consortium is working on the development of industrial films from blends of thermoplastic starch and polyethylene. The great advantage of the combination of these materials is that they together improve the barrier properties of plastic films. Polyethylene is known for its excellent waterproof properties, but it is permeable to oxygen and other gases. Starch is a good oxygen barrier, but is not water resistant. A good mixture of both materials should result in products with high water and oxygen barrier. The combination of both materials in a blend is currently not used for the production of films, but is potentially very interesting. Gradually bio-based films can replace the existing petroleum-made films.