Packaging films from dairy products?

A scientist from the U.S. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is evaluating films made from dairy ingredients.

According to foodproductiondaily.com, ARS researcher Peggy Tomasula sees potential in these dairy-based films. They would most likely be based on casein and whey, which are major proteins present in milk. As substitutes for petroleum-based polymeric materials currently used in multilayer packaging films, dairy-based films could have a strong appeal to those who worry that too many packaging materials are made from a non-renewable resource. Moisture-barrier issues remain as hurdles, the researcher notes.

Further work on whey protein-coated plastic films is being carried out in the UK by Wheylayer.

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