A comprehensive overview of the properties, applications, advancements, and safety of biodegradable packaging films

The growing environmental and regulatory concerns associated with synthetic plastic packaging have intensified research on biodegradable packaging films derived from renewable biopolymers. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the functional properties, applications, technological advancements, and safety considerations of biodegradable packaging films used in food packaging systems. This review integrates and evaluates the material design, performance metrics, and application-driven requirements within a single framework, which is directly aligned with the scope of sustainable food packaging. The mechanical strength, barrier performance, and structural properties are critically discussed in relation to formulation parameters such as polymer type, plasticization, blending, crosslinking, and nanofiller incorporation. Studies indicate tensile strength values ranging from approximately 0.7 to 32 MPa, elongation at break from about 1 to 370%, and water vapor permeability values in the range of ~ 10 –14 to 10 –9 g·m −1 ·s −1 ·Pa −1 . These performance ranges explain why biodegradable films are not yet replacements for conventional plastics but remain application-specific solutions. Consequently, their application in fresh produce, meat, dairy, bakery, and seafood packaging can extend shelf life and preserve quality for approximately 3–20 days. However, recent advancements like nanocomposites, multilayer structures, and active and intelligent packaging systems have expanded application while simultaneously raising concerns of food-contact safety, migration behavior, regulatory compliance, and end-of-life management. For biopolymer films, limited adoption is primarily due to moisture sensitivity, mechanical trade-offs, high production costs and scalability constraints. Therefore, contribution of biodegradable packaging to Sustainable Development Goals, particularly responsible consumption and production and climate action, is still limited.