Globally, polymer consumption is increasing in end-user industries such as packaging, household appliances, construction and automobiles. Packaging alone accounts for nearly 42% of total polymer consumption. Polymers used in packaging rose from 5 million tons to 100 million tons from 1950 to 2011. Polylactic acid (PLA) is among the most widely used polymers in plastic films, bottles and biodegradable medical devices. However, PLA exhibits limitations—slow crystallization, poor thermal stability, loss of tensile strength upon water absorbance and high cost. PLA’s physicochemical properties can be overcome via incorporation with biomass-based polymers such as lignin. Lignin is the second most abundant aromatic biopolymer from biomass and an underutilized component produced as a by-product in the pulp and paper industry. 
PACK-NIN will incorporate Cu/lignin nanoparticle into the PLA matrix to enhance compatibility, bonding interaction and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized composites. PACK-NIN will develop a sustainable bio-nanocomposite that provides breakthroughs for advancing lignin use in food packaging and other composite applications.