Biobased Lightweight Sandwich Structures for Packaging Applications

该项目将为零售业开发新的轻质，高性能的包装托盘，适用于各种新鲜和冷冻食品。轻量化将通过开发一种夹层结构来实现，该夹层结构包括非常低密度的、淀粉衍生的、纤维增强的泡沫芯，该泡沫芯通过与高模量的蛋白质衍生的热塑性塑料层压来提供强度。所得到的结构将完全是生物基的，并且由可商购的起始材料形成。创新的发泡方法，快速的周期时间和起始原材料的低价格相结合，表明这些材料将立即在成本和性能上与合成材料竞争。

This project will develop new lightweight, high performance packaging trays for the retail sector suitable for use across a broad range of fresh and frozen food produce. Lightweighting will be achieved by development of a sandwich structure comprising a very low density, starch derived, fibre reinforced foam core which is afforded strength by lamination with a highmodulus protein derived thermoplastic. The resulting structure will be entirely bio-based and formed from starting materials which are commercially available. A combination of innovative foaming methods, fast cycle time and low price of starting raw materials indicate that these materials will be both cost and performance competitive with their synthetic counterparts immediately.