1. CTAS
  2. All Volumes and Issues
  3. Volume 9, Number 1
  4. TECHNOLOGY FOR OBTAINING BIODEGRADABLE NON-WOVEN MATERIAL FOR PACKAGING OF FLAMELESS FOOD HEATERS

TECHNOLOGY FOR OBTAINING BIODEGRADABLE NON-WOVEN MATERIAL FOR PACKAGING OF FLAMELESS FOOD HEATERS

CTAS.
2026;
Volume 9, Number 9
: 238-242
https://doi.org/10.23939/ctas2026.01.238
Authors:
  1. I. Sukha
  2. O. Mikats
1
Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies
2
Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies

A biodegradable nonwoven material based on thermoplastic starch modified with polyethylene glycol and blended with polypropylene has been developed for packaging flameless food heaters used in individual rations. The material was produced by extrusion followed by spunbond processing. The influence of composition on mechanical, thermal, and sorption properties was investigated. It was found that increasing starch content enhances water absorption and biodegradability while reducing mechanical strength. The optimal composition (60–75 wt.% starch) ensures a balance between performance and environmental properties. The developed material demonstrates stability under operating conditions of flameless heaters (up to 120 °C) and provides sufficient water permeability. The results confirm the feasibility of replacing conventional polypropylene spunbond with biodegradable materials.

biodegradable material
nonwoven fabric
spunbond
starch
polyethylene glycol
flameless food heater
individual rations
  1. Averous, L. (2004) Biodegradable Multiphase Systems Based on Plasticized Starch: A Review. Journal of Macromolecular Science Part C Polymer Reviews, 44, 231-274.
  2. Chiellini, E., Cinelli, P., Chiellini, F. Imam, S. H. (2004) Environmentally Degradable Bio-Based Polymeric Blends and Composites. Macromolecular Bioscience, 4, 1616-5187
  3. Shogren, R.L., Fanta, G.F. and Doane, W.M. (1993) Development of Starch Based Plastics - A Reexamination of Selected Polymer Systems in Historical Perspective. Starch/Stärke, 45, 276-280.
  4. Ma J., Zhou Yu., Ou P., Zhang Ch., Wang Ya. (2026). Preparation, performance and application - Current status and trends in thermoplastic starch, Carbohydrate Polymers, 373, 124655
  5. Amobonye А., Bendoraitiene J., Peciulyte L., Rutkaite R. (2025). Review of recent advancements in starch modification: Improving the functionality of starch-based films, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 315, 144354
  6. ASTM D6400-21 (2021). Standard Specification for Labeling of Plastics Designed to Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities. ASTM, 3
  7. ISO 17088:2021 (2021). Plastics — Organic recycling — Specifications for compostable plastics. ISO, 20
  8. Bikiaris, N., Klonos, P., Christodoulou, E.P., Barmpalexis, P., Kyritsis, A.. (2025). Plasticization Effects of PEG of Low Molar Fraction and Molar Mass on the Molecular Dynamics and Crystallization of PLA-b-PEG-b-PLA Triblock Copolymers Envisaged for Medical Applications. The Journal of Physical Chemistry B. 129. 3514−3528.
  9. Park, E., Kwon K.H. (2026). Trends Food Sci Tech Smart and sustainable food packaging: recent advances in active/intelligent technologies and future directions. Scifood, 20(1), 1-19.
  10. Siracusa, V., Rocculi, P., Romani, S., Rosa, M.D. (2008). Biodegradable polymers for food packaging: a review, Trends in Food Science & Technology, 19, 634-643,
  11. Kale, G., Auras, R., Singh, S.P. (2007), Comparison of the degradability of poly(lactide) packages in composting and ambient exposure conditions. Packag. Technol. Sci., 20: 49-70.
  12. Mohanty, A.K., Misra, M. and Hinrichsen, G. (2000) Biofibres, Biodegradable Polymers and Biocomposites: An Overview. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 276-277, 1-24.
  13. Bioplastics Market Development Update (2025). EBP, 3
  14. Lacourt, C., Mukherjee, K., Garthoff, J., O’Sullivan, A., Meunier, L.,  Fattori, V. (2024). Recent and emerging food packaging alternatives: Chemical safety risks, current regulations, and analytical challenges. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 23, e70059.
  15. Moreno-Bohorquez, E., Arias-Tapia, M.J., Jaramillo, A.F. (2026). Recent Advances in Thermoplastic Starch (TPS) and Biodegradable Polyester Blends: A Review of Compatibilization Strategies and Bioactive Functionalities. Polymers, 18, 289.
  16. Mueller R.-J. (2006) Biological degradation of synthetic polyesters—Enzymes as potential catalysts for polyester recycling, Process Biochemistry, 41, 2124-2128
  17. ASTM D5338 (2025) Aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions, incorporating thermophilic temperatures. ASTM, 10
  18. Circular Economy for Plastics – A European Analysis (2024). Plastics Europe, 20
  19. Ibrahim, N. I., Shahar, F. S., Sultan, M. T. H., Shah, A. U. M., Safri, S. N. A., & Mat Yazik, M. H. (2021). Overview of Bioplastic Introduction and Its Applications in Product Packaging. Coatings, 11(11), 1423.
  20. Kijchavengkul, T., Auras, R. (2008), Compostability of polymers. Polym. Int., 57, 793-804.