Sustainable multifunctional foams for cold-chain packaging: Stabilizing polyethylene glycol with cellulose and pomegranate peel for antibacterial protection and temperature control
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A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
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en
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15
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Sustainable Materials and Technologies, Volume 43
Abstract
Here, we developed multifunctional, bio-based foams specifically designed for cold-chain packaging. Polyethylene glycol (PEG 400) is integrated as a phase change material within a cellulose and pomegranate peel matrix. The foams exhibited high porosity, low thermal conductivity, and effective thermal regulation with a phase transition at around 2°C, storing approximately 65 J/g of latent heat. Importantly, the foams demonstrated stable thermal behavior across repeated heating-cooling cycles, with no leakage of PEG observed. Antibacterial testing revealed significant inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, and antioxidant activity reached close to 100 %, underscoring the foams’ potential for microbial control and oxidative stability in temperature-sensitive applications. A life cycle assessment further supported the environmental benefits, showing a 25 % reduction in carbon footprint compared to conventional petroleum-based foams. Additional benefits were achieved over benchmark foams when material criticality was considered. Overall, this work introduced a sustainable packaging solution for cold-chain transport, combining temperature stability, antibacterial and antioxidant activities, and reduced environmental impact.Description
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Baniasadi, H, Abidnejad, R, Cruz, C D, Fathi, Z, Tammela, P, Kontturi, E & Lizundia, E 2025, 'Sustainable multifunctional foams for cold-chain packaging: Stabilizing polyethylene glycol with cellulose and pomegranate peel for antibacterial protection and temperature control', Sustainable Materials and Technologies, vol. 43, e01312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01312