Biodegradable food packaging: Carbon footprint reduction, technical and market challenges

The growing demand for sustainable food packaging has accelerated the transition from petroleum-based plastics to biodegradable alternatives derived from renewable or waste biomass. Historically, food preservation relied on natural materials and traditional storage techniques that offered limited protection against microbial contamination and oxidation. The advent of synthetic polymers improved food stability but introduced severe environmental burdens due to their high carbon footprint and persistence in ecosystems. Addressing this challenge, this study critically examines the development and implementation of biodegradable food packaging within the framework of circular economy principles. The research identifies the gap in integrating biorefinery processes into packaging production as a pathway to enhance material valorization and carbon neutrality. Using the PRISMA methodology, 1202 studies indexed on Web of Science (2017–2025) were systematically reviewed to evaluate the technological advances, environmental performance, and economic viability of biodegradable packaging systems. Key findings reveal that biorefineries can reduce fossil resource dependence by up to 65% and CO₂ emissions by 45–60% compared to petrochemical routes, although production costs (1.8–2.3 USD/Kg) and technological readiness levels (TRL 4–6) still limit scalability. Life Cycle Assessment data show that polylactic acid and starch-based polymers exhibit approximately 50% lower global warming risk than conventional polyethylene, but these benefits are hampered by the absence of an effective composting and recycling infrastructure.