Polypropylene (PP) is a polymer widely used in many industrial applications, including packaging solutions. In packaging applications, PP provides a barrier to moisture and other volatiles that help maintain the integrity and quality of products, allowing them to stay fresh for the consumers for extended shelf lives. I want to explore new materials that can provide a more biodegradable alternative whilst maintaining or extending the product shelf-life.
PLA is most common to use, and you can think to try some multilayer films, like this paper:
Rasselet, D., Ruellan, A., Guinault, A., Miquelard-Garnier, G., Sollogoub, C., & Fayolle, B. (2014). Oxidative degradation of polylactide (PLA) and its effects on physical and mechanical properties. European Polymer Journal, 50(1), 109-116
It is not a single polymer but blends of different biopolymers, which so far proved to offer promising alternatives for PP & PE, such as starch-PLA " poly(lactic acid)" blends, starch-PCL "polycaprolactone" blends, and modified PHAs, such as poly (hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). The final products are incorporated with additives for optimum properties.
You may want to take a look at BASF's Ecoflex and Ecovio range of polymers.
As for PP's barrier properties, be aware that moisture barrier is relatively good however for oxygen and aroma substances the barrier is quite poor. Potential for extending shelf-life over PP packaging probably will rather be due to better barrier properties for such substances than due to better moisture barrier.
If you are looking for biodegradable type, you may look for PLA and its blends/ copolymers.
PLA is most common to use, and you can think to try some multilayer films, like this paper:
Rasselet, D., Ruellan, A., Guinault, A., Miquelard-Garnier, G., Sollogoub, C., & Fayolle, B. (2014). Oxidative degradation of polylactide (PLA) and its effects on physical and mechanical properties. European Polymer Journal, 50(1), 109-116
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