What is it about?
This review article discusses how biopolymer-based coatings can improve the performance of sustainable food packaging materials. Many paper-based and biodegradable packaging materials are environmentally attractive, but they often have limitations such as poor resistance to water vapor, oxygen, grease, and mechanical stress. Biopolymer coatings offer a practical way to overcome these weaknesses without relying heavily on petroleum-based plastic layers. The article reviews recent advances in renewable coating materials, coating methods, barrier improvement, active and intelligent packaging functions, regulatory aspects, industrial challenges, and future directions. It highlights how polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and other bio-based polymers can be used to develop packaging systems that are more compatible with sustainability, biodegradability, and circular economy goals.
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Why is it important?
Food packaging must protect food, reduce spoilage, and maintain quality during storage and distribution. At the same time, packaging waste has become a major environmental concern. This creates a strong need for packaging materials that are both functional and sustainable. Biopolymer coatings are important because they can improve the barrier and functional properties of paper-based and biodegradable packaging while reducing dependence on conventional synthetic coatings. They may help develop packaging that is renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, and suitable for active or intelligent food packaging applications.
Perspectives
Future research should focus on improving coating scalability, adhesion, water resistance, recyclability, biodegradability, food-contact safety, and industrial processing compatibility. Greater attention is also needed on life cycle assessment, migration studies, real food packaging trials, and regulatory approval pathways. The development of multifunctional biopolymer coatings could support the next generation of sustainable food packaging systems by combining environmental responsibility with strong material performance.
Dr. Ajit Kumar Singh
Yonsei University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Biopolymer coatings for barrier and functional enhancement of sustainable food packaging: Recent advances and emerging trends, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, June 2026, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.152492.
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