Future of Nanocomposites

Future of Nanocomposites

By 2009 end, it is estimated that the flexible and rigid packaging industry will use five million
pounds of nanocomposites materials in the beverage and food industry. By 2011, consumption is estimated to be 100 million pounds. Beer is expected to be the biggest consumer by 2006 with 3 million pounds of nanocomposites until carbonated soft drinks bottles are projected to surpass that to use 50 million pounds of nanocomposites by 2011. Polymer nanocomposites are the future for the global packaging industry. Once production and materials cost are less, companies will be using this technology to increase their product’s stability and survivability through the supply chain to deliver higher quality to their customers while saving money. The advantages that nanocomposites offer far outweigh the costs and concerns and with time the technology will be further refined and processes more developed. Research continues into other types of nanofillers (i.e., carbon nanotubes), allowing new nanocomposite structures with different improved properties that will further advance nanocomposite use in many diverse packaging applications.