News Items - International Association of Packaging Research Institutes
| IATA, Spain, explores mushroom packaging With two papers published this year on mushroom waste biomass as a source for biodegradable packaging, Spain’s IATA is developing new formulations in combination with other biopolymers. Early in 2023, IATA published a paper looking at ultrasound treatment as a ‘promising strategy’ in the development of biodegradable films based on mushroom waste, and just a couple of months ago, it followed this with a study focused specifically on Agaricus bisporus waste as feedstock for biodegradable food packaging. Maria José Fabra, part of the packaging group within IATA’s Food Safety & Preservation Department, explains how the work is continuing: “We are  now developing new formulations using the mushroom residue and mixing them with other biopolymers.”As she points out, research and development in safe and reliable biodegradable materials have often come up against the cost – as well as the performance – of biobased films. “So, great efforts are needed to reduce production costs,” she says. “The novelty of this mushroom-based packaging is related to the valorization of underexploited agro-industrial mushroom waste to produce more cost-efficient materials,” Fabra states. She reports that the global mushroom cultivation market is seeing high rates of growth, and is expected to reach $52 billion by 2026. “This poses an environmental challenge for the main industries that market these products worldwide. By using simplified methods of [sourcing]locally and readily-available mushroom residues, the cost of production will be reduced, fostering a circular economy in the agricultural field.” Published: 11/28/23 |