Lignocellulose-Based Materials for Food Packaging: A Biorefinery Perspective

To date, food plastic packaging has become widespread because it dramatically increases the shelf life of foods. However, social awareness of the negative effects of such a practice (emission of greenhouse gases, ubiquitous presence of nano- and microplastics, effects on the food chain, etc.) is growing. At the same time, cellulose-based materials like paper and cardboard have the notable advantage of their recyclability and the nature of their source. Other chemical compounds contained in plants and other living beings have great potential as components of cellulose-based packaging, making it possible to improve the mechanical, thermal and barrier properties of this key material in second-generation biorefineries. As the integrated biorefinery concept is a holistic view of the total conversion of biomass into energy, chemicals, materials, food and feed. Successful bio-based food packaging is able to replace the best plastic packaging and can be envisaged as a key factor for the expansion of the bioeconomy and the circular economy beyond the food sector, further integrating human activities in the geochemical cycles and, thus, boosting their sustainability.