A nanotechnology research could result in stronger plastic packing that reduces waste

02-Mar-07

Danone has announced a research project into nanotechnology that could result in stronger plastic packing that also reduces waste. The project, based at Queen's University, Belfast, and funded with a £2.5 mln government grant, by harnessing nanotechnology - the technique of controlling and manipulating matter at near atomic scales to create new materials and devices. The research will focus on the processing route by which the nanoparticle-polymer mixture is formed into a final product. The interest of an international food giant like Danone reinforces claims that nanotechnology will be the next revolution in many industries, including food manufacturing and packaging. The use of nanocomposites can result in the client getting a more effective product. Improved performance also allows products to be manufactured with less material leading to reductions in raw material, processing energy and product transportation costs. The groups involved in the research include: The School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queen's, the University of Oxford, the University of Bradford, Danone, Smith and Nephew, Innovia Films, JGP Perrite and Boran-Mopack.