NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Materials and films for safe, smart and sustainable (3S) packaging

加拿大以塑料为基础的软包装行业每年的销售额约为50亿美元。由于消费者和市场对产品高质量、新鲜度和延长保质期的要求，软包装技术和应用，特别是食品包装，不断发展，使用更轻、更便宜和可回收的材料制成易于使用和耐腐蚀的包装。此外，公众对食品安全的需求和意识已经成为一个重要的问题。可以防止污染和/或提醒消费者的技术解决方案可以提供更好的公共保护。在主席的第二个任期内，研究计划的目标是解决这些问题，并开发具有功能特性的可持续包装材料和薄膜，以提高安全性和检测能力。更具体地说，这个椅子项目的研究主题是：通过更好和可控的密封性、阻隔性和活性（抗菌）性能，开发安全、性能和成本效益高的包装；通过在电影和电影中加入传感器来开发智能包装；最后，开发材料较少、可回收和/或可生物降解的可持续包装。该主席计划的预期成果、成果和创新将使加拿大公司和消费者在竞争优势和更好的安全性方面受益。最后，一个卓越的包装中心，专门的设施和专业知识，预计将在中期形成，并提供给加拿大包装行业。

Plastic based flexible packaging industry in Canada represents about 5 B$ in sales annually. Flexible Packaging technology and applications, particularly for food packaging, evolves continuously due to consumer and market requirements in terms of high quality, freshness and extended shelf-life of products, with easy-to-use and resistant packaging made with lighter, cheaper and recyclable materials. Additionally, public demand and awareness for food safety has become a significant concern. Technological solutions that could prevent contamination and/or alert consumers may provide better public protection. In the second term of this Chair, the objective of the research program is to address these concerns and develop materials and films for sustainable packages with functional properties for better safety and detection ability. More specifically, the research themes of this Chair program are: the development of safe, performing and cost effective packagesthrough better and controllable seals, barrier and active (antibacterial) properties; the development of smart packages through the incorporation of sensors in films and; finally, the development of sustainable packages with less material, recyclable and/or biodegradable. The expected outcomes, results and innovations from this Chair program will benefit Canadian companies and consumers in terms of competitive edge and better safety. Finally, an excellence center in packaging with dedicated facilities and expertise is expected to be formed in the medium term and made available to Canadian packaging industry.