British intellectual property company and nanotechnology specialist General Applications claims it is set to “revolutionise the food and drink packaging industry” by launching a special insulating material it says will keep packaged cold, chilled or frozen goods colder for longer than “more conventional” materials.
Developed with UK innovation consultancy PERA, Dupont Teijin Films and PA Consulting Group, the “nanoskin” material is a “micron-thickness' film that provides a thermal protection layer by using small cells containing a vacuum. It can be applied during packaging production, either on the inside or outside of a container, and is sufficiently flexible to be formed and shaped without losing its vacuum properties. Thanks to its higher insulation, the developers say it should be possible to produce packaging for cold, chilled and frozen goods using less material, while, as the base is food-safe, contact with the contents should present no problem. Nanoskin can also be used to keep warm products at a constant temperature.
General Applications is talking to a number of brand owners, mainly in the drinks arena, and is keen to hear form interested converters. It anticipates the first commercial applications may be in plastic bottles or foil pouches, but stresses the film should be suitable for a broad spectrum of food and drink container use.
CEO Mark Forrest says: “There are numerous food and drink applications where nanoskin should be suitable both as a primary and secondary layer. It will keep ice cream and beverages colder for longer, and is should be possible to extend food's shelf-life by maintaining desired temperatures for longer. It is also printable and can be made to act a gas and light barrier.
“For the ordinary consumer it means frozen or chilled groceries should stay supermarket fresh on the journey home with less bulk material to dispose of.”
Forrest says that in one recent test under controlled conditions coating a standard beverage can with a 1.5mm hemisphere nanoskin saw the time taken for its temperature to rise from a “drinkable” 5 degs to a half-ambient 13 degs extended to four hours, 16 minutes. In comparison, an uncoated can reached the same temperature in just one hour and 12 minutes.
He adds: “Our next step will be to undertake full proof of concepts and thereafter investigate volume production practicalities for specific product sectors, after which it's probable we will license the technology on some form of royalty basis.”
General Applications T: +44 (0)1865 481422 Contact details Nanoskin is designed to keep packaged cold, chilled and frozen goods cold for longer Picture1
