The humble coconut could be at the centre of the next breakthrough for the global sustainable supply chain, thanks to researchers in Indonesia.
The team at Hasanuddin University in Masakkar, South Sulawesi, have used fermented coconut water to develop a pioneering biodegradable food packaging.
The innovative multilayer film successfully balances mechanical strength with active oxygen management – two features notoriously difficult to combine in eco-friendly plastics.
For packaging suppliers facing mounting pressure to adopt greener materials, this sustainable development addresses a critical global industry hurdle.
The coconut solution
Led by Professor Andi Dirpan, the research team created the packaging using polylactic acid (PLA) reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC).
Instead of sourcing this cellulose from wood or agricultural crops, the researchers produced it via coconut water fermentation. The method closely mirrors the creation of nata de coco, a popular jelly-like dessert in Southeast Asia.
The research team noted that this method was chosen because bacterial cellulose is highly pure and rich in fibre, which makes it an effective reinforcing component.
While traditional plastic packaging is excellent at blocking oxygen and preventing food spoilage, it leaves a lasting environmental footprint.
Conversely, most eco-friendly biodegradable alternatives struggle to provide sufficient oxygen barriers, so the research team engineered a three-layer film to counter this.
As well as the MCC additive, the inner two inner layers of the packaging – those that contact the food – were embedded with an oxygen-scavenging compound, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT).
This active design continuously draws oxygen out of the package interior, significantly extending product shelf life.
Rapid breakdown
When tested in soil, the coconut-based packaging broke down quickly and steadily, degrading by 29% within just 25 days.
Prof Dirpan noted: “These results show that the level of biodegradation is in accordance with that of biodegradable plastics made from similar polymers.”
This rapid breakdown meets established benchmarks for compostable materials, offering a stark contrast to conventional packaging plastics that can pollute ecosystems for centuries.
Next steps for commercial use
Despite its strong environmental credentials and barrier properties, the material requires further refinement before hitting the wholesale packaging market.
Testing revealed a crucial trade-off: while the reinforced film is strong, it can be brittle. To be viable for commercial packaging supplies, the material must remain flexible enough to endure rigorous manufacturing processes, transit, and consumer handling without tearing.
As researchers work to solve this flexibility challenge, the coconut-based film represents a highly promising step forward in the industry’s drive towards truly sustainable, commercial-grade food packaging.
