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Plastics or polymers have been an integral part of our daily life where the packaging sector consists of a major market segment. Being derived from the fossil-based non-renewable feedstock, the conventional packaging films are a significant contributor to the global environmental pollution. Unawareness among the people regarding the proper disposal of these commercial plastics has made the situation much more alarming. Because of this, most of the plastic waste invariably ends up in water bodies affecting aquatic species and a large portion is littered off in the open environment and/or sent to the landfills.

 

The current environmental scenario necessitates the need for sustainable alternatives that could compete with the conventional polymers in terms of properties and cost. The market appears to be shifting towards biodegradable polymers, but the prevailing alternatives are struggling to enter the market and maintain their stability due to their high prices. This research aims to introduce sustainable technology and alternatives in the market that could be commercially scalable and cost-effective in order to replace the conventional food packaging (chips, biscuits, snack packets, and carry bags) that are a significant cause of plastic pollution.

 

This research will mainly emphasize on Carbphydrate Polymers (majorily starch), that is renewable and abundantly available in India at low cost due to its excellent film formability and bio-compatibility. The significant drawbacks that limit the use of starch include its brittle nature, hydrophilicity, poor mechanical properties, and complex processing behavior compared to the conventional and other biopolymers. The prior art in this field lacks the aspects of cost-effectiveness and scalability, hence this study will take into consideration these characteristics to develop industrially viable packaging films.