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Peak Nano<\/a> has announced a new development program to create first-of-its-kind nanolayered biodegradable multilayer polymer films for food, beverage and medical packaging<\/a>. Supported by R&D funding from the Greater Akron Polymer Innovation Hub, Peak Nano is leveraging its patented NanoPlex\u2122 metamaterials technology to design an advanced, sustainable alternative to these barrier films without impacting performance.<\/p>\n Selected through a competitive process that reviewed more than 40 proposals from across the region, Peak Nano\u2019s project is one of eight receiving Innovation Hub support. It targets to replace traditional multilayer packaging film, which can contain many tightly bonded layers of polymers and additives that are difficult or impossible to recycle. These materials fragment over time, shedding micro \u00a0and nanoparticles into soils, waterways and the broader environment. Peak Nano\u2019s high performance barrier films are designed for distinct performance advantages in demanding food and medical applications and protecting product quality and safety, and they are engineered for biodegradability over time.<\/p>\n Peak Nano\u2019s NanoPlex technology, developed at Case Western Reserve University with leading polymer scientists like Eric Baer and Lei Zhu, professors of macromolecular science & engineering, enables the creation of films containing thousands of precisely controlled polymer layers, as opposed to melted blends. This makes it possible to combine several polymer characteristics in one material, almost like a circuit board, creating unprecedented control over properties like atmospherics, molecular permeability, biodegradability, conductivity and insulation. The nanolayer coextrusion and biaxial orientation processes also boost oxygen and water vapor resistance, improving durability so the films can withstand real world converting and packaging operations without contributing to long term microplastic waste.<\/p>\n \u201cWith NanoPlex\u2122, we can create nano layers that let us dial in characteristics like barrier performance, mechanical strength and even degradability,\u201d said Dr. Michael Ponting, Chief Scientific Officer at Peak Nano. \u201cThis lets us tackle one of the toughest problems in packaging. We can now design biodegradable nanolayer structures that give converters the barrier and mechanical properties they need, with a much better end of life story.\u201d<\/p>\n Peak Nano\u2019s project is part of a broader slate of Innovation Hub-funded initiatives in biobased materials, recyclable packaging, eco polymer platforms and performance materials. The Hub, powered by the Polymer Industry Cluster and the Greater Akron Chamber, is deploying a $42 million Innovation Hubs award and matching funds over four years to advance shared R&D priorities, stand up a polymer pilot facility and support startups and scaleups bringing sustainable polymer solutions to market.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Polymer Industry Cluster was created to tackle shared problems that no single company can solve,\u201d said Hans Dorfi, Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer, Polymer Industry Cluster. \u201cPeak Nano\u2019s films<\/a> show how we can align world class materials science with our region\u2019s deep expertise in polymer science and advanced manufacturing to address global environmental challenges and create new economic opportunities here at home.\u201d<\/p>\n In the current phase, Peak Nano and its partners will produce prototype biodegradable nanolayer film systems and evaluate them on commercial equipment used for food and medical packaging. Subsequent phases include biodegradability testing, cost and scale up modeling and a commercialization roadmap for supplying nanolayered biodegradable films to brand owners and converters at scale. Peak Nano expects to leverage both its Ohio manufacturing footprint and regional partners to bring these materials into broader commercial use.<\/p>\n \u201cThis collaboration is about turning leadership in advanced materials into commercial reality with regional economic impact,\u201d said Jean-Claude Kihn, former CTO of The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and Co-Chair of the Hub\u2019s Innovation & Commercialization Committee. \u201cBy backing Peak Nano\u2019s technology and scale up in Ohio, we\u2019re helping translate the state\u2019s century long polymer heritage into next generation sustainable materials<\/a> and high value jobs.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n