With interesting exhibitions that gave an account of the work that is carried out at the level of applied research for the production of containers and packaging with minimal environmental impact, this Monday, January 16, the International Seminar "Innovation in the development of new materials from polymers" was held. biobased: moving towards sustainability".
The activity was organized by the Center for Innovation in Containers and Packaging LABEN CHILE, with the support of ANID and the University of Santiago, through the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology CEDENNA and the Department of Food Science and Technology DECYTAL.
The objective of the meeting is framed in the dissemination of the advances obtained in the FONDECYT projects developed in this Center, which are: "Effect of titanium dioxide on ethylene scavenging properties of eco friendly polymer nanocomposites" and "Development of biodegradable materials based on PLA / PBAT blends by means of one-step supercritical impregnation + foaming process as a support platform of drug delivery system". In the first. Dr. Francisco Rodríguez is the lead investigator, while the second is led by Dr. Alejandra Torres.
The day began with the words of Dr. Abel Guarda, Director of LABEN CHILE, who indicated that containers and packaging "are a complex issue, due to the negative effects they generate when they become waste." He commented that changing this reality is what the work and the different lines of research carried out by this Innovation Center are looking for, for which reason the seminar is an opportunity to "make the projects we are carrying out known to the community and companies, in what issues we work on and to be able to generate interest for technology transfer, among others”.
Packaging innovation experiences
Outstanding researchers from the national universities USACH, U. of Chile and PUC of Valparaíso, plus the European campuses U. Politécnica de Madrid, Spain, and U. Técnica Georg Simon Ohm of Nuremberg, Germany, were present at the opportunity. .
Through two rounds of presentations, the experts addressed the innovation and technological development of various initiatives that are being carried out in their respective universities, with a focus on the creation of new materials for the production of sustainable containers and packaging, through from the recycling of plastic material.
Thus, in the first round, Dr. Francisco Rodríguez, a researcher at LABEN CHILE, presented "Application of bio-based polymers in the development of food packaging: Myth or Reality", while Dr. Marina Arrieta, a researcher at the University Politécnica de Madrid, referred to "Obtaining bacterial cellulose from food waste for use as a reinforcement of biopolymers".
Also taking part were Dr. © Alba Maldonado, a LABEN CHILE researcher with "Eco-friendly films with activity against ethylene - An option against food waste" and Dr. Lilian Abugoch, academic at the University of Chile with "Properties of proteins and chitosan as biopackaging for food application".
Meanwhile, the second part began with the topic "Consumer's perception and regulation of bioplastics", by Dr. Carolin Hauser, academic from the Georg Simon Ohm Technical University of Nuremberg. Then came the presentation of Dr. Alejandra Torres, LABEN CHILE researcher with "Development of biodegradable active materials using supercritical fluid technology".
Finally, Dr. Álvaro Díaz, researcher at P. Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, spoke about "Engineering for the production of biodegradable polymers" and Dr. © Patricia Rivera, researcher at LABEN CHILE presented "Production of polymeric foams based on PLA using supercritical CO2”.
It should be noted that at the end of each round, there was space for questions and comments from those present, which were answered by the exhibitors.
For more information about the projects and services of LABEN-CHILE, those interested can review their website and social networks.
Author: Paola Armijo
Photography: Paola Armijo
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