Biobased and biodegradable rigid and flexible polymeric packaging

The present chapter is dedicated to the potentialities and opportunities of biobased and biodegradable polymeric materials currently available on the market for producing packaging. After some definitions considering regulatory and standardization aspects, these materials are described and classified. Biopolyesters and biopolymers are mainly used for these products in the form of blends or biocomposites, often in combination with additives based on biobased molecules. For flexible packaging blown film extrusion or flat die extrusion of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) based materials or starch based materials are currently the main options on the market. For rigid packaging, obtained mainly by injection molding or thermoforming, PLA blends or composites are the more promising alternatives, because of their good balance of properties and cost. The control of their processability and final properties is thus fundamental.