Mar. 2012 | CzechInvest, Nafigate, NUS | A new collaboration between Nafigate, Czech Republic and NUS, Singapore to develop next generation green packaging materials that allow medical, food, and beverages packing industries to be more environmentally-friendly.
NAFIGATE Corporation (a.s.), Czech Republic has joined with the National University of Singapore (NUS) to collaborate on the research and development of a cost-effective green packaging film at NUS. This research project will come under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NAFIGATE Corporation and the NUS Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Initiative (NUSNNI), which will be signed later today. Other research collaborations that are likely to come under this MOU include projects in the areas of energy saving/storage and water membranes. This MOU signing has been facilitated by the NUS Industry Liaison Office.
Recently, there has been an increasing concern about the extensive use of synthetic plastics for packaging, which has a negative environmental impact due to its non-renewable nature. Globally, food and drink packaging companies are encouraged to focus on developing new packaging strategies, like packaging redesigns, switching to recyclable materials, supporting reuse and optimizing production.
A major focus of NAFIGATE is to expand the nanofibers applications and market. This will be done by innovating and networking with international experts improving the functionalities of nanofibers, and launching new products around the world. The recent FDA approval for the clinical application of polyhydroxybutyrate, a type of polyester suggests a promising future for biopolymers. The biocompatible and biodegradable properties of biopolymers attracted NAFIGATE to develop the applications as well-suited food and beverages packaging products.
Taking advantage of new advancements in polymer chemistry, electrospinning and bioanalytical methodologies at NUS, NUSNNI research experts will drive this research. This will be done by intelligently controlling the biopolymers’ physical, chemical and structural characteristics and transforming it into smart functional nanofibers. The project’s key goals are to produce nanocomposite films that possess multi-functional properties, such as good odour, bacterial and oxygen barriers, and light weight and higher mechanical strength.
“This collaboration will not only help to develop products to meet the promises of the future of the industries by utilising our team’s expertise and also foster entrepreneurship in Singapore in nanofibers area”, said Prof Venky T Venkatesan, Executive Director, NUSNNI, NUS.
“As a world leader in nanofibers research and development, NUS will be a tremendous asset to NAFIGATE and we are honoured to work with them to provide the green and sustainable solutions to the industrial world. I am happy to share that our collaboration with NUS is supported by Czech Invest, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Czech Republic,” told Mr. Ladislav Mares, Founder Chairman and CEO of NAFIGATE Corporation.
“The Czech Republic is a global leader in the field of nanofibers and based on competitiveness strategy and conception of the New CzechInvest, we do not want to “miss the boat“, says Miroslav Krizek, CzechInvest’s General Director and he adds, “Therefore I really welcome Czech-Singapore cooperation, and I believe that the utilization of nanoscience and nanotechnology knowledge will accelerate launch of new products and development of new markets.”
Fonte: CzechInvest
