Recent Insights into Biodegradable Nanocomposites for Food Packaging Applications: Prospects and Challenges

Biodegradable nanocomposites have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional petroleum-based food packaging materials, offering enhanced mechanical strength, improved barrier performance, and active functionalities such as antimicrobial activity. By combining biopolymer matrices with nanoscale fillers, these materials aim to maintain food quality while reducing environmental impact. Numerous studies demonstrate that biodegradable nanocomposites can satisfy key functional requirements of traditional packaging while providing additional performance advantages. However, despite significant laboratory-scale advancements, several critical challenges continue to limit large-scale implementation. These include scalable manufacturing and nanofiller dispersion control, regulatory compliance, migration safety evaluation, cost competitiveness, and long-term environmental assessment. Addressing these interconnected constraints is essential for translating material innovation into practical packaging solutions. This review aims to bridge the gap between laboratory-scale material development and real-world packaging applications by addressing technical, safety, and commercialization constraints. By examining current limitations and emerging solutions, the review provides a realistic outlook on the future integration of biodegradable nanocomposites into sustainable food packaging systems.