Packaging (Bottles, Draft, Cans) Session
Ali J Harlin, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Co-author(s): Thomas Gädda, Mika Vähä-Nissi, and Annika Wilhelmson, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Finland
ABSTRACT: Bio-based materials, like polylactic acid (PLA)
and lately bio-based PET, are increasingly present in beverage
applications due to environmental sustainability requirements of
consumers and the demands of increased green image by brand owners.
Simultaneously retailers and society have an increasing interest in
finding solutions for waste management. Bio-based PET is finding its way
into carbonated soft drinks. PLA is still used for water bottles
because of material limited barrier properties. In order to apply the
polyesters in the future for even more demanding applications improved
barrier properties are required. VTT has actively developed bio-based
barrier solutions. Novel barrier polymers such as polyglycolic acid
(PGA) has shown exceptionally good oxygen barrier properties. Thin layer
barriers like atomic layer deposition (ALD) oxygen barrier properties
have been previously demonstrated with PLA. This work reports novel
barrier results for development materials based on their potential for
future beverage packaging. Suitability for brewery products will be
discussed.
Ali Harlin is a research professor for bio-based
materials and heads the Industrial Biomaterials spearhead program in
VTT, the Technical Research Centre of Finland, targeting industrial
applications for materials produced using renewable raw materials to
generate new, sustainable value chains and to reduce our dependency on
oil and the carbon footprint of consumption. The spearhead program
focuses on the development of materials and production technologies
based on fibers and nano-cellulose, as well as biomass-based monomers
and polymers. The aim is to integrate these new value chains into
existing bio-refineries. Ali previously worked in industries ranging
from petro-chemistry to forest industry and in several academic
positions at different universities.
