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.