Flexible packaging consumption’s rapid growth represents a $38 billion market in the global Community. As the demand in the industry continues to rise at an average of 3.5% each year, flexible materials need to meet and exceed the high expectations of consumers And the stressors of the supply chain. Increased competition between suppliers Along with government regulations translates into innovations in films that enhance product and Package performance as well as address worldwide concerns with packaging waste. One such innovation is polymer nanocomposite technology which holds the key to future Advances in flexible packaging. According to Aaron Brody in a December, 2003 Food Technology article, “…Nano composites appear capable of approaching the elusive goal of converting plastic into a superbarrier—the equivalent of glass or metal—without upsetting regulators” (Brody, 2003). This paper will discuss how nanocomposites are made and the growth of nanocomposite materials as a function of their numerous advantages in the packaging industry today and in the future.

1. “POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITE ARE THE FUTURE
FOR PACKAGING INDUSTRIES”
Guided By
Prof. N. Y. Bhore
Presented By
Mr. P. S. Ghadekar
(13PP010)

2. INDEX
 Introduction
 Nanotechnology growth predicted.
 What Nanocomposite ?
 How Nanocomposites work ?
 Various sector of Nanocomposite.
 Why Packaging industry ?
 Packaging Applications
 Environmental Aspects.
 Challenges.
 Future of Nanocomposites.
 Conclusion.
 Reference.

3. INTRODUCTION
Flexible packaging consumption’s rapid growth represents a $38 billion market in the global
Community. As the demand in the industry continues to rise at an average of 3.5% each year, flexible
materials need to meet and exceed the high expectations of consumers and the stressors of the supply chain.
Increased competition between suppliers Along with government regulations translates into innovations in
films that enhance product and Package performance as well as echnoladdress worldwide concerns with
packaging waste. One such innovation is polymer Nanocomposite togy which holds the key to future
Advances in flexible packaging. According to Aaron Brody in Food Technology article, “Nano composites
appear capable of approaching the elusive goal of converting plastic into a superbarrier—the equivalent of
glass or metal—without upsetting regulators”.

4. Nanotechnology Growth Predicted
Nanocomposite defined as polymers bonded with nanoparticles
to produce materials with enhanced properties, have been in
existence for years but are recently gaining momentum in
mainstream commercial packaging use. The United States is leading
in nanotechnology research with over 400 research centers and
companies involved with over $3.4 billion in funding. Europe has
over 175 companies and organizations involved in nanoscience
research with $1.7 billion in funding. Japan is also very involved in
research with over 1002 companies working with nanotechnologies.
Globally, the market for Nano composites is expected to grow to
$250 million by 2008, with annual growth rates projected to be 18-
25% per year. On other hand, India and China is helping the
nanocomposites market to grow in the region.

5. What Nanocomposite ?
 Nanocomposites are a class of materials in which one or more phases with
nanoscale dimensions (0-D, 1-D, and 2-D) are embedded in a metal, ceramic, or
polymer matrix.
 The general idea behind the addition of the nanoscale second phase is to create a
synergy between the various constituents, such that novel properties capable of
meeting or exceeding design expectations can be achieved.
 The properties of nanocomposites rely on a range of variables, particularly the
matrix material, which can exhibit nanoscale dimensions, loading, degree of
dispersion, size, shape, and orientation of the nanoscale second phase and
interactions between the matrix and the second phase.

6. Why nanocomposites ? → Multifunctionality
 • Small filler size and distance between fillers is also small.
- high surface to volume ratio
 • Mechanical Properties :
- Increased ductility with no decrease of strength,
- Scratching resistance
 • Optical properties:
- Light transmission characteristics particle size dependent Strain
• Constituents have at least one dimension in the
nanometer scale.
–Nanoparticles (Three nano-scale dimensions)
–Nanofibers (Two nano-scale dimensions)
–Nanoclays (One nano-scale dimension)

7. How Nanocomposites work ?
Polymer nanocomposites are constructed by dispersing a filler material into nanoparticles that form flat platelets. These
platelets are then distributed into a polymer matrix creating multiple parallel layers which force gases to flow through the
polymer in a “torturous path”, forming complex barriers to gases and water vapor, as seen in Figure 1. As more tortuosity is
present in a polymer structure, higher barrier properties will result. The permeability coefficient of polymer films is
determined using two factors: Diffusion and Solubility coefficients.
P = D x S
Here,
P- Permeability coefficient
D- Diffusion, S- Solubility
The degree of dispersion of the nanoparticles within the polymer related to improvement in mechanical and barrier
properties of nanocomposite.
More diffusion of nanoparticles throughout a polymer significantly reduces its permeability.

8. Various sector of Nanocomposite
1. Packaging
2. Electrical & Electronic
3. Construction
4. Automotive
5. Others
PERCENTAGE
Electrical & Electronic Construction Packaging Others Automotive
36%
12%21%
12%
19%

9. Why Packaging industry ?
Advantages of nanocomposite films are numerous and the possibilities for application in the packaging industry are
endless. Because of the nanocomposite process’s dispersion patterns, the platelets result in largely improved
performance in the following properties:
 Gas, oxygen, water, etc. barrier properties
 High mechanical strength
 Thermal stability
 Chemical Stability
 Dimensional stability
 Heat resistance
 Good optical clarity (since particles are nano-size)
A majority of consumer products that use nanocomposite packaging are in the beverage industry. Many different
types of commercial plastics, flexible and rigid, are utilized for nanocomposite structures including PP, nylon, PET, & PE

10. Gas Barrier
Nylon-6 nanocomposites can achieve an OTR (oxygen transmission rate) almost four times lower than unfilled nylon-6 . In
the case of Honeywell (structure create by nanoclay filler) the nanoclay layers act as a trap to retain the active oxygen
scavengers in the polymer while reducing OTR 100-fold. It has similar results when added to a multilayer PET structure.
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
Active-Passive
Nylon 6
Nanocomposite
Nylon 6
Nanocomposites
Unfilled Nylon 6
Nanocomposite
OTR,ccmil/100in2/day
Oxygen Transmission of Nylon Nanocomposite

11. Mechanical Strength
Tensile strength, tensile modulus and heat distortion temperature (HDT) characteristics are improved with the use of
nanotechnology. A nylon nanocomposite produced by clay loading of 5% these increased mechanical properties. (Fig Shows)
Mechanical proporties Nylon 6 % increase in proporties Nanocomposite (5%
Tensile Strength (MPa) 82 23% 101
Tensile Modulus (MPa) 2758 69% 4657
Flexural Modulus (MPa) 2431 56% 3780
HDT, °C 57 68% 96
The amount of change in mechanical properties is directly related to the quantity of nanofiller used in the particular
nanocomposite.

12. Packaging Applications
 Military Food Packaging–
Objective-
 Eliminate Foil Layer in Meal Ready to Eat (MRE) Packaging
 Capability of Microwave Processing, High Pressure Pasteurization, Radio Frequency Sterilization.
 Reduction of Stress-Cracks and Pin-Holes
 Reduce Processing Steps (No-lamination required)
 Decrease MRE weight
 Reduce Solid Waste
 Barrier Specifications:
OTR ≤ 0.06cc/m²-day-atm
WvTR ≤ 0.01g/m²-day-atm
Shelf Life = 3 Years at 80°F, 6 Months at 100°F

13. Nanocomposite for multilayer PET
containers
 Nylon nanocomposites, used as barrier layers for multilayer PET containers prove
to perform better -- as much as two to three times better -- than the traditional
EVOH barrier layer since nylon has a 50°F higher melt temperature. When used in
a 16 oz. beer bottle, Imperm® nanocomposite guarantees almost seven months
of shelf life.
 Nanocomposites have been used for beer bottle manufacture to solve many
problems, such as the beer colloids instability, including biological and non-
biological aspects, oxygen permeation and bad taste due to light exposure.

14. Other Applications
 Flexible Packaging: multi-layer polyolefin/PA-6 films
cast and blown films
 Extrusion Coating of Paperboard
barrier to moisture and oxygen
juice packaging, milk cartons
 Stand-up Pouches: barrier, strength
 Total package solution: barrier improvement along
with high stiffness and high heat resistance
 Beverages-
Oxygen Sensitive drinks bottle
CO2 Sensitive drinks bottle

15. Environmental Aspects
 As the global flexible packaging market increases, we will see more and more specialized products
utilizing films.
 Nanocomposites would ease the transition between current packaging with metal layers and glass
containers to flexible pouches or rigid plastic structures.
 Many current structures require multiple layers which render the packaging un-recyclable, but in the face
of global recycling issues, nanocomposite polymers would help to reduce packaging waste and would
allow recycling efforts.
 Waste reduction is a very pressing issue in the world and the U.S. military is a good example of how
nanocomposite polymers can positively impact the environment

16. Challenges
Despite the prosperous future of nanocomposites, there are a few issues that
warrant concern about the mass commercialization of these polymers. According to
research, there are four main issues dealing with the production and use of
nanocomposites:
 Exfoliation
 Orientation
 Compatibility
 Reaggregation

17. Future of Nanocomposites
 By 2013, it is estimated that the flexible and rigid packaging industry will use five million pounds of nanocomposites
materials in the beverage and food industry. By 2016, consumption is estimated to be 100 million pounds.
 Beer is expected to be the biggest consumer by 2014 with 5 million pounds of nanocomposites until carbonated soft
drinks bottles are projected to surpass that to use 50 million pounds of nanocomposites by 2016.
 Polymer nanocomposites are the future for the global packaging industry. Once production and materials cost are
less, companies will be using this technology to increase their product’s stability and survivability through the supply
chain to deliver higher quality to their customers while saving money.
 The advantages that nanocomposites offer far outweigh the costs and concerns and with time the technology will be
further refined and processes more developed.

18. Conclusion
In conclusion, new technologies require materials showing novel properties and improved performance compared to
conventionally processed components. In this report, nanocomposites are suitable materials to meet the emerging
demands arising from scientific and technologic advances. Processing methods for different types of nanocomposites are
available, but some of these pose challenges thus giving opportunities for researchers to overcome the problems. They
offer improved performance over monolithic and microcomposite counterparts and are consequently suitable candidates to
overcome the limitations of many currently existing materials and devices. A number of applications already exists, while
many potentials are possible for these materials, which open new vistas for the future. In view of their unique properties
such as very high mechanical properties even at low loading of reinforcements, gas barrier and flame related properties,
many potential applications and hence the market for these materials have been projected in various sectors. Thus all the
three types of nanocomposites provide opportunities and rewards creating new world wide interest in these new materials.

19. Reference
 Anyadike. Nanotechnology in packaging. Retrieved on February 13, from Pira
International at http://pira.atalink.co.uk.packaging/130.html.
 Brody “Nano, Nano” Food Packaging Technology. Food Technology, 52- 54.
 University of South Carolina Research Foundation. (May). Enhancing Gas
BarrierProperties of Polymer Nanocomposites. Retrieved on February 16, 2005
from http://www.nano.sc.edu/publications/PNCs.pdf.
 Butschli. (2005, January). Flexibles outlook is optimistic. Packaging World, 74.
 Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies, July 2004, The Royal Society & the Royal
Academy of Engineering. (Reproduced in part with permission 2005.)