Toward Sustainable Food Packaging: Innovations in Biodegradable Materials, Smart Technologies, and AI Integration
Arul Murugesan, Huanhuan Li
Abstract
Sustainable food packaging is gaining importance as the world increasingly addresses environmental concerns, food waste, and safety. Although traditional plastic packaging has long been effective, it significantly contributes to pollution and relies on nonrenewable resources. In response, this review highlights recent advancements in sustainable packaging, focusing on biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable materials. Moreover, it explores the integration of active and smart packaging systems, as well as the emerging role of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving packaging efficiency. Material innovations, such as biopolymers, cellulose-based films, algae-derived coatings, and nanomaterials, offer eco-friendly alternatives while still maintaining essential functions like barrier protection, antimicrobial activity, and shelf-life extension. In addition, active and smart packaging technologies enhance preservation through antimicrobial and antioxidant agents and also enable real-time monitoring of food freshness via embedded sensors. Furthermore, AI technologies, particularly machine learning, support the optimization of material selection, shelf-life prediction, and quality control through data analytics. Ultimately, the synergy between sustainable materials and digital technologies is transforming the food packaging landscape. This integrated approach, therefore, offers a promising route to reduce environmental impact, enhance food safety, and improve operational efficiency throughout the supply chain.