Surface-modified films for advanced packaging

Important results from the project

The motivation for this WoodWisdom project has been to improve the understanding of contact-active antibacterial surfaces for use in, for example, packaging solutions. This was achieved by adsorbing antibacterial polymers to cellulose-based surfaces of different charge density and structure. The project has also been aiming to facilitate commercialisation of the developed antibacterial platform.

Expected long term effects

The results show that it is possible to control the antibacterial performance by controlling the charge density of a surface. The polymer system showed a high flexibility and all materials studied presented antibacterial properties. To demonstrate industrial potential, a cellulose material was successfully modified on a roll-to-roll pilot machine. The project has thereby provided improved scientific understanding and taken important steps towards commercialisation.

Approach and implementation

Academic research was planned and conducted at KTH with intellectual input from the industry partners, and the other partners in the overarching WoodWisdom project. The industry partners contributed also actively in the work by, for example, performing standardised tests on materials modified at KTH, and by searching for suitable materials and methods, especially regarding the pilot-machine trial.