Advances in cellulose composite films for sustainable food packaging: a review

Abstract This review analyzes recent research trends and material innovations by examining 174 peer-reviewed articles indexed in the Scopus database using the query (TITLE-ABS-KEY(cellulose) AND composite AND paper AND food AND packaging) , limited to original research articles. The majority of publications appeared between 2018 and 2024, reflecting a sharp rise in research activity during this period. Through bibliometric mapping of co-occurrence author keywords, seven thematic clusters were identified, with dominant focuses on biodegradable composites, barrier enhancement, antimicrobial functionality, and surface engineering. Materials such as cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), chitosan, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were frequently incorporated to improve mechanical strength (up to 84 MPa), water vapor transmission rate (reduction by 88 %), and thermal stability (up to 380 °C). Active films incorporating antioxidants and antimicrobial agents demonstrated effective shelf-life extension for fruits and meat products by 4–10 days. Despite these advances, key challenges remain in scalability, hydrophobicity, and regulatory compliance. This review provides a consolidated understanding of the design, functionality, and future potential of cellulose-based packaging, offering strategic insights for researchers and industry toward achieving sustainable and intelligent food packaging solutions.