SINTEF, along with Norwegian and foreign industry and university partners, is currently working on applications of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) to develop environment-friendly food packaging.
Being a part of the project, Borregaard, a Norwegian company, produces the MFC fibrils. MFC is made of plant fibers that are just 100 nm thick. It is an ideal strengthening material for recyclable plastics and it is impermeable to gases. Thus, the material can be used to protect food products.
Åge Larsen, senior scientist and project manager of SINTEF, noted that major objective of the project is to develop alternative raw materials for use in food packaging products such as plastic foil, jars and bottles. Hence, scientists believe that addition of MFC fibrils with bioplastics will lead to the creation of high-quality, sustainable packaging.
Hans Henrik Øvrebø from Borregaard assures that MFC is a highly potential raw material for creating climate-friendly alternative to plastics. He also stated that in the future this special wood fiber material can be utilized in several new products. The company is currently renovating one of its pilot facilities in Sarpsborg, Norway to produce MFC fibrils.
The initial phase of the project will include research on methods and various possibilities of microfibrillated cellulose applications. It is anticipated that the development of the first prototype will start soon.