Nanotechnology's potential in the packaging industry

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $5.5 million to three consortia to support research on nanotechnology. Packaging Digest has reported on nanotechnology's potential in the packaging industry  that delves into how the technology can be used for covert authentication and track-and-trace features for consumer packaged goods.

The agency says it understands that many U.S. industries can benefit from the positive applications of nanotechnology, including environmental remediation, pollution prevention, innovative drug delivery and therapy, efficient renewable energy, and effective energy storage. The EPA also states that the scientific information developed from the research can help guide it and other agencies when making decisions about the safety of new materials and products that are made using nanotechnology. The grants EPA has awarded will help researchers determine whether certain nanomaterials can leach out of products when they are used or disposed of and whether they could become toxic to people and the environment. (Source; packaging Digest, 23-2-2011)