APPLICATION OF BAMBOO POWDER COMPOSITES IN FRUIT PACKAGING
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Amid global efforts to mitigate carbon emissions and plastic pollution, the fruit packaging industry urgently seeks renewable and biodegradable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based materials. Although low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films and polypropylene (PP) trays possess excellent moisture resistance and structural stability, they lack biodegradability. Conversely, while corrugated cardboard and molded pulp are biodegradable, their structural integrity significantly degrades under high-humidity conditions, limiting their utility in cold-chain logistics. This study prepared and evaluated bamboo powder/PBAT/PLA composites for fruit packaging applications. Four bamboo powder particle sizes (60, 200, 400, and 800 mesh) were investigated under identical formulation conditions. The results revealed that particle size exerts a significant influence on the mechanical properties of the composites. Among the experimental groups, the 400-mesh bamboo powder-reinforced composite exhibited the optimal overall performance, characterized by a tensile strength of 26.30 ± 1.30 MPa, elongation at break of 16.20 ± 2.00%, flexural strength of 40.10 ± 3.10 MPa, flexural modulus of 3.00 ± 0.20 GPa, and impact strength of 13.80 ± 1.30 kJ/m². Compared to the 60-mesh group, the 400-mesh composite showed markedly improved tensile and flexural properties, indicating superior filler dispersion and interfacial compatibility within the polymer matrix. Based on the material performance data and the structural requirements for fruit packaging in China and Thailand, a “material parameters–structural functions–application pathways” framework was established. The analysis indicates that the composite has significant potential for tray supports and cushioning liners, whereas its application in external packaging structures necessitates further validation through compression and moisture-resistance testing. This study provides both experimental and application-oriented support for the development of low-carbon and biodegradable fruit packaging materials.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Articles published in this journal are copyrighted by the Faculty of Industrial Technology. Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University
In addition, research results and academic works published in the journal It is the independent opinion of the author. The author is responsible for any legal consequences that may arise from the published article. The editorial team and the journal's production team, we don't always have to agree.
References
Geyer, R., Jambeck, J. R. and Law, K. L. 2017. "Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made," Science Advances, 3(7): p. e1700782. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1700782
Defraeye, T. and et al. 2015. "Towards integrated performance evaluation of future packaging for fresh produce in the cold chain," Trends in Food Science & Technology, 44(2): pp. 201-225. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2015.04.008
Mohanty, A. K. and et al. 2018. "Composites from renewable and sustainable resources: Challenges and innovations," Science, 362: pp. 536-542. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aat9072
Amara, C. and et al. 2021. "Nanocellulose-based composites for packaging applications," Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry, 31: p. 100512. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.cogsc.2021.100512
Bari, E. and et al. 2019. "Assessment of physical and mechanical properties of bamboo-plastic composites," Polymer Composites, 40(7): pp. 2834-2839. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.25097
Hu, F. and et al. 2022. "Surface characteristics of thermally modified bamboo fibers and its utilization potential for bamboo plastic composites," Materials, 15(13): p. 4481. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15134481
Ochi, S. 2022. "Mechanical properties of bamboo fiber bundle-reinforced bamboo powder composite materials," European Journal of Wood and Wood Products, 80: pp. 263-275. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-021-01757-4
Nukala, S. G. and et al. 2022. "Development of biodegradable composites using polycaprolactone and bamboo powder," Polymers, 14(19): p. 4169. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14194169
Zheng, D. and et al. 2022. "Packaging design to protect Hongmeiren orange fruit from mechanical damage during simulated and road transportation," Horticulturae, 8(3): p. 258. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8030258
Sani, M. A. and et al. 2021. "Recent advances in the development of smart and active biodegradable packaging materials," Nanomaterials, 11(5): p. 1331. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/ nano11051331
Semple, K. E. and et al. 2022. "Moulded pulp fibers for disposable food packaging: A state-of-the-art review," Food Packaging and Shelf Life, 34: p. 100908. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fpsl.2022.100908
Bangar, S. P. and et al. 2023. "Plant-based natural fibers for food packaging: A green approach to the reinforcement of biopolymers," Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 31(12): pp. 5029-5049. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-023-02849-3
DI Research. 2024. Global molded fiber pulp packaging competitive landscape professional research report 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.marketresearch.com/Deep-Insights-Research-Co-DIR-v4285/Global-Molded-Fiber-Pulp-Packaging-37313502/
Li, Y., Wang, N. and Abdul Latiff, A. R. 2025. "Development of the bamboo forest economy: Reviewing China’s ‘bamboo as a substitute for plastic’ initiative and its development," Advances in Bamboo Science, 11: p. 100130. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bamboo.2025.100130
Jalali, A. and et al. 2019. "Application of humidity absorbing trays to fresh produce packaging: Mathematical modeling and experimental validation," Journal of Food Engineering, 244: pp. 115-125. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng. 2018.09.006
Ponnusamy, P. G. and Mani, S. 2022. "Life cycle assessment of manufacturing cellulose nanofibril-reinforced chitosan composite films for packaging applications," The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 27: pp. 380-394. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-022-02035-y
Rodriguez, O. T. and et al. 2024. "Performance of biodegradable active packaging in the preservation of fresh-cut fruits: A systematic review," Polymers, 16(24): p. 3518. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16243518
Jahangiri, F., Mohanty, A. K. and Misra, M. 2024. "Sustainable biodegradable coatings for food packaging: Challenges and opportunities," Green Chemistry, 26: pp. 4934-4974. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1039/D3GC02647G
