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PreprintCC BYChemRxiv

Suberin-Cutin inspired copolyester films as bio-based packaging materials

  • Zahra Maghazeh1
  • Raffaele Perrotta2,3
  • Katarina Jonasson4
  • Martin Gunnarsson4
  • Hanna Eliasson4
  • Christian Möller4
  • Matteo Minelli1
  • Marco Giacinti Baschetti1
  • Monica Ek2,3
  • Anna J. Svagan3
  • Mikael S. Hedenqvist2,3
4 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Material Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, via Terracini 28, Bologna, Italy, 40131
  2. 2Wallenberg Wood Science Center, Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 56-58, Stockholm, Sweden, SE-100 44
  3. 3Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 56-58, Stockholm, Sweden, SE-100 44
  4. 4Department of Development & Technology, Tetra Pak Packaging Solutions AB, Ruben Rausings gata, Lund, Sweden, 22186
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Abstract

Fossil-based plastics are widely used in packaging because of their low cost, processability, and exceptional barrier performance. However, their nonrenewable origin, short lifespan, and resistance to degradation in the environment present major challenges. Suberin and cutin are two types of biopolyesters found in plants, which can be used as renewable feedstock for the synthesis of bio-based plastics. Here, we extracted suberin monomers from birch bark and combined them with two building-blocks monomers found in cutin; a long chain ω-hydroxy fatty acid and a diacid, to produce cross-linked semi crystalline polyester films by melt polycondensation and thermoforming. Increasing the cutin monomer content promoted crystallization and increased the films’ stiffness and strength. Additionally, it reduced water vapor transmission rates and oxygen permeability, reaching properties comparable to short chain polyesters such as polylactide and poly ε-caprolactone. All films blocked the UV radiation below 400 nm. The resulting properties highlight suberin/cutin-based plastics as a potential future green packaging material.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@misc{maghazeh2026suberincutin,
  title = {{Suberin-Cutin inspired copolyester films as bio-based packaging materials}},
  author = {Zahra Maghazeh and Raffaele Perrotta and Katarina Jonasson and Martin Gunnarsson and Hanna Eliasson and Christian Möller and Matteo Minelli and Marco Giacinti Baschetti and Monica Ek and Anna J. Svagan and Mikael S. Hedenqvist},
  howpublished = {ChemRxiv},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.26434/chemrxiv.15009249/v1},
  url = {https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15009249/v1},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - UNPB
TI  - Suberin-Cutin inspired copolyester films as bio-based packaging materials
AU  - Zahra Maghazeh
AU  - Raffaele Perrotta
AU  - Katarina Jonasson
AU  - Martin Gunnarsson
AU  - Hanna Eliasson
AU  - Christian Möller
AU  - Matteo Minelli
AU  - Marco Giacinti Baschetti
AU  - Monica Ek
AU  - Anna J. Svagan
AU  - Mikael S. Hedenqvist
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/22
PB  - ChemRxiv
DO  - 10.26434/chemrxiv.15009249/v1
UR  - https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15009249/v1
AB  - Fossil-based plastics are widely used in packaging because of their low cost, processability, and exceptional barrier performance. However, their nonrenewable origin, short lifespan, and resistance to degradation in the environment present major challenges. Suberin and cutin are two types of biopolyesters found in plants, which can be used as renewable feedstock for the synthesis of bio-based plastics. Here, we extracted suberin monomers from birch bark and combined them with two building-blocks monomers found in cutin; a long chain ω-hydroxy fatty acid and a diacid, to produce cross-linked semi crystalline polyester films by melt polycondensation and thermoforming. Increasing the cutin monomer content promoted crystallization and increased the films’ stiffness and strength. Additionally, it reduced water vapor transmission rates and oxygen permeability, reaching properties comparable to short chain polyesters such as polylactide and poly ε-caprolactone. All films blocked the UV radiation below 400 nm. The resulting properties highlight suberin/cutin-based plastics as a potential future green packaging material.
ER  -