Business from technology

Packaging technologies

Competence

VTT has extensive expertise in packaging technologies, including engineering of novel fibre-based and other biomaterials. Research is targeted to competitive products and solutions for the paper, chemical, and packaging industries. Special emphasis is on combining developed functional systems with novel printing and coating technologies. We develop novel active and intelligent packaging techniques, materials, and solutions for food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications. New solutions for consumer packed goods are developed by a thorough understanding of food product behaviour during storage and distribution. The understanding of end-user benefits and requirements of the packaging value chain is the basis for successful developments. VTT has taken an active role in the applied research and development of new technologies and in the development of applications and markets.

VTT’s special expertise is in using biopolymers in the coating of fibre-based materials. Various intelligent functionalities can also be incorporated on the print substrate or in the paper structure by means of printing or coating methods. These functionalities can be, e.g., electrical, chemical, or biosensing functionalities. VTT has a new unique roll–to roll pilot coating research environment for development and testing of novel coating and printing solutions.

Intelligent printed indicators for package leakage, tampering, or product quality allow continuous testing of the packed product whether in the processing plant, supermarket, or at home. VTT is in the forefront of research in these technologies and is very experienced in developing various low-cost indicator technologies for consumer packages. Recently the focus has been on the combination of biotechnologies, printing technologies, and information technologies.

Challenges

• Adding high-value functionalities to fibre-based materials
  
• Low-cost, renewable materials and processes for consumer-packed goods
  
• Especially in the case of new functional/printed intelligence solutions, ever more business oriented collaboration and development are required within and across the industry value chain –both existing and emerging –to realize major new business opportunities.
  

Solutions

• Use of tailored (bio)polymers and surface activation to modify the paper surface chemistry and coating methods applicable for packaging solutions (barriers, sealability, bending stiffness)
  
• Fine-tuning of ink properties, inks compatible with functional components, and, e.g., ink-jet printing
  
• Multidisciplinary approach combining intelligent printed/coated solutions with optical or electrical reader interfaces, e.g. mobile phones – with continuous dialogue within and across the industry value chain.
  

Benefits

• Printed intelligence: Added low-cost functionality that improves the performance of the printed matter to address needs of end users, high added value - low total added cost.
  
• Renewable materials: replacing petroleum-based polymer coatings with novel (e.g., wood-based) biopolymers.
  

VTT has a unique roll–to roll pilot coating research environment for development and testing of novel coating and printing solutions.