The film ingredients are derivatives of renewable natural polymers: starch and cellulose. These substances are carboxymethyl starch (CMC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). They are biodegradable and soluble in cold water. They are used in food, cosmetics, paper, pharmaceutical and textile industries. They are used as a food additives, hydrogels, thickeners, anti-caking agents, adhesives and fillers.

Szczecin scientists were able to obtain film based on cheap starch derivative CMS. Previously known were only processes for the preparation of film based on CMC, and other natural derivatives (e.g. chitosan or alginate).

The team of Prof. Tadeusz Spychaj obtained an innovative film using glycerine and citric acid. With this selection of materials and cross-linking, the film swells in water, but is insoluble in it.

The film strongly absorbs moisture, which is described as hydrophilicity. It has good mechanical properties, it degrades in the environment without contaminating or poisoning it. It can be used in agriculture. If a fertilizer is encapsulated in it, the resulting coating will allow for controlled release of active compounds. The film can also be used to pack herbicidal, bactericidal and fungicidal agents and similar substances. In medicine it could be used as a drug carrier. Hydrophilic biodegradable films can also be used as a carriers of adhesive layers. In paper industry they can be used to connect paper rolls.

Advantages of the use of the invention in the packaging industry are mainly associated with the availability of intermediates and their low cost. Both CMS and CMC are manufactured in the country. During the production of the film does not generate any by-products.

The films have been submitted for patent protection. Technology received an award in the competition "Eureka! DGP" organized by "Dziennik Gazeta Prawna" to promote the most innovative and promising Polish technologies.

PAP - Science and Scholarship in Poland

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