Collagen-based packaging films for nonfood applications and their comparison with commercial polyolefin (polypropylene block copolymer) films

The potential use of collagen as packaging film was investigated. Various chemical properties (permeability, resistance to chemicals, and weathering) and physical properties (resistance to puncture impacts, tearing, and temperature) of cast films were compared with those of a polyolefin (polypropylene block copolymer) car body paint protection film. The collagen films showed excellent resistance to nonpolar substances (oil and fuel mix) and they had tensile strengths (27 N/mm 2 ) similar to those of polyolefin films (38 N/mm 2 ). The collagen films tested, however, were brittle (elongation at break = 34%) and exhibited a high solubility in polar substances like deionized water (total soluble matter = 20 wt% at 20°C, 40 wt% at 60°C after 1 h). Due to the low water resistance their usage as packaging films is anticipated to be restricted to indoor applications or to applications which require water solubility.