Nowadays, paper is reported to be the most widely used material in packaging applications thanks to its characteristics of printability, recyclability and biodegradability. However, since paper is hygroscopic and porous, its barrier properties against water-vapor, gases and aromas are poor. To improve its barrier properties, paper is often impregnated with coatings from synthetic polymers such as polyethylene, polyvinyl alcohol, rubber latex and fluorocarbon.
Theses polymers fill the paper pores and form a dense layer at the paper surface. Unfortunately, the use of such synthetic polymers leads to the loss of the paper’s biodegradability. In an effort to produce more environmentally friendly and renewable materials, biodegradable polymers have been investigated as surface-coating
materials on paper or paperboard