PhD Programme in Innovation for the Circular Economy

Packaging Materials and Circular Economy

Packaging Materials and Circular Economy

Academic year 2024/2025

Sommario del corso

• Course objectives
• Results of learning outcomes
• Program
• Course delivery
• Learning assessment methods
• Suggested readings and bibliography
• Teaching tools
• Course card

Course objectives

The class contributes to the realization of the educational objective of the PhD course by providing a general background on the properties of different materials applied to industrial packaging. The learning objectives are:

• Apply the fundamental principles of circular economy to the packaging industry.
• Be aware of the policies, EU regulations, and industrial practices shaping the transition to sustainable packaging.
• Analyze the (chemical and barrier) properties, performance, and environmental impact of different packaging materials, including recyclable, biodegradable, and bio-based options.
• Explore innovative packaging strategies that minimize waste, enhance recyclability, and align with circular economy models.

Results of learning outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Have a background on the scientific fundamentals of packaging materials (e.g., polymers, biopolymers, composites, paper-based solutions, aluminum, glass).
• Analyze the properties, performance, and environmental impact of different packaging materials, including recyclable, biodegradable, and bio-based options.
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of sustainable packaging development and their role in circular economy.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding

Students should be able to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges in sustainable packaging. This could involve:

• Correlate the chemical properties and technological characteristics that contribute to determining use and recovery in the packaging of a particular product.
• Developing strategies for improving packaging recyclability.
• Case studies on innovative packaging solutions.

Making Judgements

Doctoral students must critically assess sustainability trade-offs and regulatory constraints. The course aims to encourage:

• Interdisciplinary problem-solving (balancing chemical properties, economic viability, and legal constraints).
• Critical evaluation of sustainability claims (e.g., greenwashing vs. real circularity).
• Acquisition of aware judgment autonomy concerning evaluation and interpretation of experimental data collected on different materials to make strategic choices in unknown situations.

Communication Skills

Since students come from different backgrounds, they should be able to:

• Translate technical concepts for policymakers, businesses, and consumers.
• Effectively present research findings and sustainability strategies to academic, industrial, and policymaking audiences. Acquisition of oral and written communication skills and expertise, focusing on the ability to use graphical and formal languages.
• Engage in interdisciplinary discussions, bridging the gap between material science, environmental policy, and industry needs.

Learning Skills

• Acquisition of autonomous learning capacity and self-assessment of its preparation
• Independently conduct research on emerging trends and innovations in sustainable packaging.
• Develop a critical and reflective approach to continuous learning in the field of circular economy and materials science.
• Enhance the ability to understand and interpret chemical and technical aspects of packaging, even for students without prior scientific training.

Program

The teaching aims to provide the knowledge necessary to understand packaging materials from a technological point of view. Notes on Italian and European legislation and regulations are also provided and commented. The different materials currently used at an industrial level will be illustrated with reference to composition and properties determining their use in packaging. Structure of the course:

1. Legislation and Regulatory Frameworks: overview of Italian and European regulations related to packaging. Analysis of the implications of these regulations on material choice, design, and production processes.
2. Overview of packaging materials and functions. Fundamental functions of packaging: protection, storage, containment, marketing, and communication of information.
3. Plastics in packaging:

Polymer science. Types of polymers: homopolymers versus copolymers.

Thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers.

Structural characteristics: polymer architecture (linear, branched, tacticity).

Crystalline versus amorphous regions, and the concept of glass transition.

Barrier properties and their importance in packaging.

1. Alternative packaging materials:

Paper and cardboard: material properties, production processes, and sustainability aspects.

Glass: constituents, glass transition properties, production processes, and standard guidelines.

Metals: focus on aluminum, tin, and chromed steel—their properties, applications, and suitability in packaging.

1. Barrier characteristics and laminates: detailed examination of barrier properties essential for effective packaging. Role and structure of laminates in multi-layered packaging systems to enhance performance.
2. Material recycling aspects regarding the reduction of the environmental impact of solid waste. Recycling of materials used in packaging in Italy and Europe. Circular economy. European and national data on paper, glass, aluminum and plastic recycling. The problem of plastic.
3. Sustainability, recycling, and circular Economy. Material recycling aspects:

Strategies for reducing the environmental impact of packaging waste.

Statistical insights on the recycling of paper, glass, aluminum, and plastics in Italy and Europe.

Circular economy principles: integration of design strategies that promote reusability, recyclability, and waste reduction. The plastic challenge: discussion of current issues related to plastic use, disposal, and innovative approaches to mitigate environmental impacts.

Course delivery

This course is delivered in a blended format, the face-to-face lectures in the classroom are simultaneously delivered online and final interactive activities promote flexible learning and a collaborative environment. The theoretical lessons are delivered using traditional frontal methods (blackboard) enhanced with images, graphics, and videos (projected), with all teaching materials subsequently made available for further study. Communication with students takes place via e-mail.

Learning assessment methods

Students will be divided into groups of up to three members and are required to prepare a comprehensive presentation (in PowerPoint, PDF, etc.) on a theme discussed during the lessons. Each group must highlight the innovative aspects, applications, recycling potential, advantages, and disadvantages of a chosen material within a circular economy context. To support their analysis, groups may incorporate a wide range of sources, including literature articles (from Scopus, SciFinder, ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed), newspaper articles, relevant legislation, texts, videos, links to pertinent websites, as well as images, diagrams, photos, and student-produced videos.

Students will have access to the slides projected during lessons, as well as additional documents such as, for example, Regulation (EC) No 282/2008 on recycled plastic materials and articles concerning food contact. The course will also provide useful links and, where applicable, articles from recent literature to support further study and exploration of the topics discussed.

• Teaching material
• Exams and finals
• Class schedule
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