Starch-based biodegradable materials suitable for thermoforming packaging

In previous works, we had shown that blending plasticised wheat starch (PWS) with biodegradable polyesters improves properties such as the water resistance. The present study was more specifically based on PWS/cellulose fibres composites. In addition, these multiphase systems (blends and composites) have been tested with respect to thermoforming applications. The composites shown an increase in modulus and strength, improved temperature stability and glass transition shifts. After sheet extrusion, each type of materials (blends and composites) was thermoformed. The ageing of the resulting thermoformed trays was tested in storage conditions from 4 degreesC to ambient temperature, composites based-materials show reduced ageing compared to PWS.