Definition of Polymers in Packaging
Packaging protects products from damage during shipment to stores and to the consumer's home. This flexible packaging consists of polymers that are molecules from organic or carbon-based compounds. Through processing, these polymers are molded into a variety of hard and soft plastic, paper and wax packaging. Polymers can consist of artificial organic materials or biodegradable starches.
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Artificial Organic Polymer
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People used waxes as the first type of polymer to coat objects for shipping. For centuries, waxes were used in shipping food products, such as cheeses, from cheese makers to stores. These semi-liquid polymers were ideal since it had the properties of plasticity and could be molded over any shape of an object before drying. Waxes are still used today and are petroleum-based.
Plant Polymers
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Natural polymers derived from plants are used due to the structural strength needed in certain packaging and ropes. Most paper packaging comes from plant polymer fibers from plant stalks. This polymer, called cellulose, gives tensile durability to packaging materials while also being biodegradable to reduce landfill waste.
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Organic Polymers
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By tapping rubber trees, manufacturers have used natural rubber as an adhesive and tape for packaging products. Natural rubber contains the polymer isoprene. Isoprene is not temperature-resistant, causing the rubber to stick and smell. The process of vulcanization, where rubber becomes treated with sulfur during heating, strengthens the isoprene to become more temperature resistant and elastic.
Biopolymers
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Due to the advancement of technology and concerns of the environment in using polymers that are petroleum-derived and take a long time to biodegrade, manufacturers have looked into the application of biopolymers. Biopolymers are derived from starches, such as potato and corn, to create packaging products that has the tensile strength of plastic but will completely biodegrade into the environment. Since corn starch becomes brittle when processed, it is blended with other biopolymers to give it more plasticity.
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References
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