New packaging material extends shelf life of food by at least 50%

A*STAR scientists have developed a new material for food packaging that can extend the shelf life of food by at least 50 per cent by preventing oxygen from entering the packaging. The innovation takes the form of a three-layer laminated plastic film with a clay-polymer composite inserted between two plastic layers, and is able to block 150 times more oxygen than normal plastic packaging, highlighting IMRE’s research capabilities in advanced polymer composites.

Led by Dr. Li Xu, the research team collaborates with industry partners in A*STAR’s Industrial Coating and Packaging Consortium, including home-grown manufacturing company Dou Yee Enterprises, with whom the team is working to produce the packaging for the retail market.

• The Straits Times: Longer shelf life for food? It’s all part of this package