Extrusion International 2-2026-USA

24 Extrusion International 2/2026 24 INDUSTRY NEWS tr si I t r ti l / Biodegradable Multilayer Polymer Films for Sustainable Packaging Developed Peak Nano announced a new development program to cre- ate first-of-its-kind nanolayered biodegradable multilayer poly- mer films for food, beverage, and medical packaging. Supported by R&D funding from the Greater Ak- ron Polymer Innovation Hub, Peak Nano is leveraging its patented NanoPlex™ metamaterials tech - nology to design an advanced, sustainable alternative to these barrier films without impacting performance. Selected through a competitive process that reviewed more than 40 proposals from across the re- gion, Peak Nano's project is one of eight receiving Innovation Hub support. It targets to replace tra- ditional multilayer packaging film, which can contain many tightly bonded layers of polymers and ad- ditives that are difficult or impos- sible to recycle. These materials fragment over time, shedding mi- cro- and nanoparticles into soils, waterways, and the broader en- vironment. Peak Nano's high-per- formance barrier films are de- signed for distinct performance advantages in demanding food and medical applications, protect- ing product quality and safety, and are engineered for biodegradabil- ity over time. Peak Nano's NanoPlex technolo- gy, developed at Case Western Re- serve University with leading poly- mer scientists like Eric Baer and Lei Zhu, professors of macromolecular science & engineering, enables the creation of lms containing thou - sands of precisely controlled poly- mer layers, as opposed to melted blends. This makes it possible to combine several polymer charac- teristics in one material, almost like a circuit board, creating unprece- dented control over properties like atmospherics, molecular permea- bility, biodegradability, conductiv- ity, and insulation. The nanolayer coextrusion and biaxial orientation processes also boost oxygen and water-vapor resistance, improving durability so the lms can with - stand real-world converting and packaging operations without con- tributing to long-term microplastic waste. "With NanoPlex™, we can cre - ate nano-layers that let us dial in characteristics like barrier perfor- mance, mechanical strength, and even degradability," said Dr. Mi- chael Ponting, Chief Scientific Of- ficer at Peak Nano. "This lets us tackle one of the toughest prob- lems in packaging. We can now design biodegradable nanolayer structures that give converters the barrier and mechanical proper- ties they need, with a much better end-of-life story." Peak Nano's project is part of a broader slate of Innovation Hub- funded initiatives in biobased materials, recyclable packaging, eco-polymer platforms, and per- formance materials. The Hub, powered by the Polymer Indus- try Cluster and the Greater Akron Chamber, is deploying a $42 mil - lion 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 solu- tions to market. "The Polymer Industry Cluster was created to tackle shared prob- lems that no single company can solve," said Hans Dorfi, Executive Director and Chief Innovation Of- ficer, Polymer Industry Cluster. "Peak Nano's films show how we can align world-class materials sci- ence with our region's deep ex- pertise in polymer science and ad- vanced manufacturing to address global environmental challenges and create new economic oppor- tunities here at home." In the current phase, Peak Nano and its partners will produce pro- totype biodegradable nanolayer film systems and evaluate them on commercial equipment used for food and medical packaging. Subsequent phases include bio- degradability testing, cost and scale-up modeling, and a commer- cialization roadmap for supplying nanolayered biodegradable films to brand owners and converters at scale. Peak Nano expects to lever- age both its Ohio manufacturing footprint and regional partners to bring these materials into broader commercial use. "This collaboration is about turning leadership in advanced materials into commercial reality with regional economic impact," said Jean-Claude Kihn, former CTO of The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and Co-Chair of the Hub's Innovation & Commer- cialization Committee. "By back- ing Peak Nano's technology and scale-up in Ohio, we're helping translate the state's century-long polymer heritage into next-gen- eration sustainable materials and high-value jobs." Peak Nano peaknano.com (Source: Peak Nano Systems)