Cellulose Nanocrystals: A Potential Nanofiller for Food Packaging Applications

This chapter focuses on emerging technologies developed for the fabrication of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) based composite films for food packaging applications. Due to its strong reinforcing effect, CNC is a promising smart material for application in several fields such as healthcare, biomedical engineering, packaging etc. These bionanoparticles possess several attractive properties such as biodegradability, non-toxicity and bio-based origin. Fabrication of CNC based polymeric films via industrially viable approaches is a challenging task. Therefore, novel strategies for surface modification and innovative fabrication techniques need to be developed to effectively disperse CNCs into polymeric matrices. CNCs, due to their bio-origin and renewability, are emerging nanomaterials for the 21st century, whose demand will continue to grow in the near future. In response, robust, cost effective, high volume industrial scale production processes for CNCs are required to meet the growing demand.