Ever smaller, ever faster

© obs / Hochschule Furtwangen University

© obs / Hochschule Furtwangen University

© Fraunhofer

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Nano technology is considered the future technology of the 21st century. It finds applications in many different sectors and promises advances not only in the development of a wide variety of industries but also for solving such global problems as malnutrition or climate change. Its motto is “ever smaller, ever faster” rather than “ever higher, ever wider”.

A nanometer is a millionth of a millimetre. By comparison: a human hair measures 50,000 times the size in diameter. Nano technology is regarded as a platform technology. Even today applications already range from automotive and electronics to architecture, medical device technology, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food industry. The use of nanotechnology gives substances new properties or enhances their existing ones. Food packaging was among the first commercial applications of nanotechnology. According to estimates of the German Ministry of Education and Research (bmbf) nanomaterials are now already contained in roughly 500 packaging types and are expected in approx. 25% of all food packaging over the next decade.

Longer Shelf Life

The principal function of this packaging is to extend the shelf life of products by selective release of chemicals. This is achieved by modifying the properties of the given packaging material in such a way that gasses and liquids can neither ingress nor be released and that UV-light barriers are formed. Likewise, the smell and or taste of foodstuffs can be enhanced and undesirable aromas can be repelled. Furthermore, there is packaging with nano-particles acting as antimicrobial agents.

Packaging with nano-sensors controls the state of foodstuffs and packaging along the entire value chain. These days, packaging can even indicate changes of temperature or moisture content through a change in colour. This type of packaging with chemical sensors is already being deployed by a wide variety of companies. Packaging that also identifies pathogens and is capable of warning consumers of, for instance, salmonella are no longer “pie in the sky” but very close to becoming reality.

The development of nano-materials can also bring many benefits for bio-plastics. The latter are not as stable as oil-based plastics and nano-materials might compensate for this drawback by reinforcing bio-plastics. However, according to bmbf announcements there are no empirical findings yet on the possible environmental risks attached to the nano-fillers forming when bio-plastics decompose.

Do not ever Shake Well before use again

Thanks to the advances made in nano-technology the cumbersome shaking and squeezing of ketchup bottles, cream tubes or pharmaceutical ointments might also become a thing of the past. Up to one third of the contents end up in the waste bin with these packaging formats. The Fraunhofer Institute therefore has joined forces with partners in the industry and at the Munich Technical University to develop a non-stick coating in order to finally do away with such “residues”. For the first prototypes 20nm thin coatings were applied to the inside of the packaging. The market launch of this non-stick coating awaited over the next few years will save money on the one hand, and is considered environmentally friendly, on the other, since cleaning this packaging prior to recycling would be markedly simpler and more inexpensive.

Progress also brings Risks

However, some criticisms have been raised as with any research and development. The number of scientific studies pointing to possible health and environmental risks is rising in sync with the advances made. Currently, there are no binding safety standards for nano-products in the world. This also applies to the food sector. There were first signs of possible damage to health and the environment said BUND, the associations for environment and nature conservation in Germany, and added that intense efforts had been made for years to bring nano-products to the market but researching the associated risks attached had only received little attention so far.

One thing is also for sure: the future competitiveness of products will essentially depend on exploring this nano-world for all sectors of industry. These advances will be decisive for them and the packaging industry is undeniably on the front line here. A major contribution to this development has been the consistent international subsidies policies. The USA, Japan, Germany and South Korea are currently considered the global leaders in nanotechnology. At present, the EU spends public money to the tune of EUR 740 million on nano-technology – almost as much as the USA.