Microfibrillated Cellulose Coating With Bark Extractives for Moisture Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing films used in modified and controlled atmosphere packaging are typically made from non-renewable plastics and face challenges in achieving low gas and moisture permeability, flexibility, and heat resistance, while also requiring improved barrier properties.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating at least 1% by weight of extractives, such as suberin or betulin, from wood bark or cork wood into a microfibrillated cellulose suspension to enhance the barrier properties of films and coatings, particularly improving water vapor transmission rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-renewable plastic materials are used for MAP and CAP films, then gas and moisture permeability can be controlled, but environmental sustainability and renewability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite materials by combining microfibrillated cellulose (renewable) with extractives from wood bark or cork wood to create a film that achieves both renewable sustainability and controlled gas/moisture permeability. The extractives act as barrier agents that enhance the permeability control of the renewable cellulose base material.
2Ease of operation
If film thickness is reduced to improve flexibility, then flexibility and thinness are improved, but barrier properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by incorporating extractives specifically at the interfaces between microfibrillated cellulose fibers. These extractives create localized barrier zones that enhance gas and moisture resistance at critical points without requiring increased overall film thickness, thus maintaining flexibility while improving barrier properties.
3Reliability
If extractives from wood bark or cork wood are added to microfibrillated cellulose suspension, then water vapor transmission rate is improved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies self-service by utilizing extractives that are naturally obtained from wood bark or cork wood, which already possess barrier properties. These natural extractives self-organize at the cellulose fiber interfaces during film formation, providing enhanced water vapor transmission control without requiring complex additional formulation steps or synthetic barrier agents.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting films exhibit enhanced water vapor and oxygen barrier properties, making them suitable for modified and controlled atmosphere packaging applications, while being renewable and potentially biodegradable.
Implementation Method 1
improved water vapor transmission rate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a film or coating comprising a fiber material, wherein at least 60% by weight of said fiber material is microfibrillated cellulose, said film or coating also comprising at least 1% by weight of extractives from wood bark or cork wood. The invention is also directed to products, such as packaging materials, using or incorporating said film or coating. Such packaging materials are for example laminates or multi-layer structures. The films or coatings according to the present invention having advantageous barrier properties and are therefore particularly suitable for sensitive objects that need to be packaged in a controlled or modified atmosphere. The present invention is also directed to a composition comprising a fiber material, wherein at least 60% by weight of said fiber material is microfibrillated cellulose, said composition also comprising at least 1% by weight of extractives from wood bark or cork wood. The composition is useful for example in the preparation of the film or coating.