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Nanotechnology is a cross-sectional technology, and it will play an important future rule in almost all areas of technical developments. Nanotechnology has become the focus of immense expectations in terms of market potential and efficiency. Although there has been a plethora of start-up companies, research funding, and even several highly publicised commercial successes, the early market expectations have not been realised, and many are wondering how big the gap is between fantasy and reality.
Packaging is a relatively large and important application for nanotechnology. Materials constructed from nanotechnology have been found to provide unexpected and valuable packaging properties. These properties may even be of such high value that they can justify the early price of nanomaterials.
This study characterises the current state of nanotechnology in the flexible packaging industry.
Find out the latest on:
- The advantages of downsizing to nano-scale technologies
- Nanocomposite materials and their inherent benefits
- The current and future market trends that could change the industry
Contents include:
Introduction
- Nanotechnology and flexible packaging - a marriage of convenience?
- Nanomaterials' position among other packaging solutions
- Objective, scope, and methodology
How nanomaterials enhance flexible packaging
- Advantages of downsizing - an introduction to nanomaterials
- Key features of nanomaterials in flexible packaging
- - Barrier properties
- - Bulk mechanical properties
- - Flame resistance
- - Biodegradability
- - Safety and security
- - Responsive films
- - Product identification
- - Colour and clarity
- - Chemical and moisture resistance
- - Electrical and thermal conductivity
Components and manufacture of a nanocomposite material
- Nanofillers
- Nanoclays
- Clay modification
- Carbon nanoparticles
- - Carbon nanotubes
- - Carbon nanofibres
- - Carbon nanoplatelets
- Nano-oxides
- Polyhedral oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS)
- Polymeric resins
- Nanocomposite manufacturing methods
- Incorporation of nanofillers into the resin
- - Melt compounding
- - In-situ polymerisation
- - Solution processing
- - Other processes
- Conversion of nanocomposite into a film
Nanotech state of the art in flexible packaging
- Polyamide (nylon) nanocomposites
- Polyolefin nanocomposites
- Other polymeric composites
- Nanocoatings
- Inks and pigments
- Nanofilms
Current and future market trends
- The overall flexible film and packaging market
- Nanomaterials
- Nanomaterials in packaging
- Future vision
- - Drivers for nanotechnology
- - Barriers to nanotechnology