Phase Change Materials-Based Biodegradable Packaging for Perishable Food

The rising global concern over food waste-particularly from highly perishable commodities-highlights the urgent need for sustainable and reliable cold chain packaging solutions. A substantial quantity of food is wasted every year during supply chain operations due to fluctuations in optimal temperature and moisture conditions. In this regard, phase change material (PCM)-based packaging can be considered a promising option for thermal regulation, as PCMs store and release latent heat during food transport. Although polymer-based (nondegradable) PCM packaging has been used for this purpose in recent years, it contributes to various forms of pollution and associated environmental concerns. Therefore, integrating PCMs with natural and sustainable polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), starch, alginate, chitosan, and cellulose can help address these environmental issues. This review explores the development and performance of such bio-based PCM packaging systems, with emphasis on their thermal characteristics and encapsulation strategies-including spray drying, electrospinning, cyclodextrin inclusion, liposomes, and hydrogels-and highlights their influence on shell integrity, thermal stability, and PCM leakage prevention. The review also evaluates recent advancements aimed at stabilizing PCMs and the growing shift toward biodegradable packaging approaches. Furthermore, it examines challenges related to scalability and cost-effectiveness, with a specific focus on the Indian context for biodegradable packaging materials in supply chain logistics. Biodegradable PCM-based packaging offers a viable pathway to extending the shelf life of perishable foods, reducing food loss, and supporting a circular economy in the food sector.