Innovations in Food Packaging Materials

Abstract

Over the last decade, food packaging technology has gone through a fast and significant development especially in case of innovative materials, where some of them are already commercially applied. This chapter explores the innovations in food packaging materials in combination with factors that will affect its further development and potential industrial application. This chapter presents: (1) the main types of barrier packaging materials for food application, focusing on bioplastic, biopolymeric coatings and nanomodifiers; (2) special functions of new packaging materials such as antimicrobial, self-healing and thermo-protection; (3) intelligent solutions for packaging systems including barcodes and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) systems, self-heating and self-cooling package, indicators of temperature, freshness and humidity, scavengers, absorbers and emitters; and finally (4) innovative design and eco-design aspects.