Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) for food packaging

This chapter addresses the basic and applied characteristics of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) in the context of their potential future development for food packaging applications. The introduction provides a brief overview of the chemistry and synthesis of PHAs. This is followed by an outline of commercial developments to date and a main section in which the properties of PHAs and PHA-based nanocomposites of greatest relevance to food packaging are discussed.

Past research on PHA foams and coatings is outlined and the chapter concludes with a summary as well as possible future trends and suggestions for further reading..