Use polyurethane metal catalysts in the food packaging industry to extend shelf life and keep fresh

admin 3月 18th, 2025 News

Polyurethane metal catalyst: “Secret recipe for preservation” in the food packaging industry

In the fast-paced modern life, people are increasingly relying on pre-packaged foods. Whether it is snacks on supermarket shelves or frozen foods delivered to home, these products require carefully designed packaging to ensure their freshness and safety. In this process, polyurethane metal catalysts are gradually becoming a shining star in the food packaging industry. They are like an invisible guardian, silently adding peace of mind and security to our dining table.

What is a polyurethane metal catalyst?

To understand the role of polyurethane metal catalysts, we first need to understand its definition. Simply put, polyurethane metal catalysts are special chemicals that can accelerate or guide the occurrence of specific chemical reactions without being consumed by themselves. Such catalysts are usually composed of metal ions or metal compounds and are embedded in polyurethane materials to form a composite material. Polyurethane itself is a multifunctional polymer with excellent flexibility, durability and breathability, and when added to metal catalysts, it gives it additional functionality—such as antibacterial, antioxidant and gas-regulating capabilities.

Principle of catalyst

The core function of polyurethane metal catalysts is to improve the microecological balance in the food packaging environment through catalytic reactions. Specifically, it can promote certain beneficial reactions (such as oxygen absorption) while inhibiting harmful reactions (such as bacterial reproduction). This process is similar to the ecosystem regulation mechanism in nature: when there are too many elements in the environment, the catalyst will convert it into a more stable form; when there are insufficient elements, it can release the right amount of supplementary ingredients. This dynamic balance allows food to remain in good condition for a longer period of time.

For example, in fruit and vegetable packaging, the polyurethane metal catalyst can slow down the respiration by controlling the ratio of carbon dioxide to oxygen, thereby delaying the maturation process. In meat and seafood packaging, it can reduce the occurrence of spoilage by inhibiting microbial growth and oxidation reactions. It can be said that polyurethane metal catalysts are like smart housekeepers, providing personalized protection solutions according to different food needs.

The current application status of polyurethane metal catalyst

In recent years, as consumers’ awareness of food safety and environmental protection has increased, the food packaging industry has also been constantly seeking innovative solutions. Polyurethane metal catalysts have quickly emerged in this field due to their unique advantages. At present, this technology has been widely used in the following types of food packaging:

Fresh food
Fresh foods (such as meat, fish and dairy products) are susceptible to bacterial contamination and oxidation, resulting in a shorter shelf life. Polyurethane metal catalysts can significantly prolong this type by reducing oxygen concentration in the package and inhibiting bacterial reproduction.The product storage time.
Processed Food
Oxidation rancidity is a common problem for high-fat products such as fried foods and baked goods. Polyurethane metal catalysts can effectively prevent oil oxidation and maintain the flavor and nutritional value of the product.
Fruit and Vegetable Products
Fruits and vegetables will continue to breathe during storage, which will not only lead to water loss, but may also cause ethylene accumulation, accelerate maturity and rot. By using packaging materials containing polyurethane metal catalysts, the gas ratio inside the packaging can be adjusted and the freshness of fruits and vegetables can be extended.
Instant Food
Instant foods (such as salads, sushi, etc.) require more packaging, as they usually need to be kept fresh for a long time without refrigeration. The barrier properties and antibacterial effects provided by polyurethane metal catalysts just meet this demand.

It is worth noting that polyurethane metal catalysts are not a single formula, but their composition and structure can be adjusted according to the specific application scenario. For example, for different food types, different metal ions (such as silver, copper or zinc) can be selected as the active center to achieve the best results.

Technical parameters of polyurethane metal catalyst

In order to better understand the practical application value of polyurethane metal catalysts, we can analyze them from the following key indicators:

parameter name	Description	Reference value range
Catalytic Efficiency	Refers to the ability of the catalyst to complete a specified reaction within a unit time	>95%
Thermal Stability	The ability to maintain catalytic activity in high temperature environments	-20°C ~ +80°C
Anti-bacterial properties	Inhibition effect on common pathogenic bacteria (such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus)	The sterilization rate is ?99.9%
Gas regulation capability	Ability to control oxygen, carbon dioxide and other gas concentrations in the packaging	±5% Target value deviation
Chemical Compatibility	Safety when in contact with food and no odor or harmful substances can be producedCapability	Complied with FDA/EU standards
Physical Strength	The mechanical properties of the material itself, including tensile strength, tear strength, etc.	?15 MPa

The above data are only typical examples and may vary depending on the specific process conditions in actual applications. In addition, different brands and models of polyurethane metal catalysts may also have unique characteristics, so they need to be evaluated in conjunction with specific needs when choosing.

Progress in domestic and foreign research and case analysis

The research on polyurethane metal catalysts began in the late 20th century, but it was not until the past decade that it truly entered the stage of large-scale commercialization. The following are some highlights of relevant domestic and foreign research:

Foreign research trends

USDA Project
A USDA-funded study showed that the use of silver-containing polyurethane metal catalysts can extend the shelf life of sliced ??apples from 3 days to more than 14 days. The researchers found that this catalyst not only effectively inhibits mold growth, but also reduces the browning of the flesh.
Fraunhofer Institute, Germany
German scientists have developed a copper ion-based polyurethane coating material for packaging cooked products. Experimental results show that the material can extend the shelf life of the product by 30%, and significantly improve the sensory experience of consumers.
Toray Industries
The “Active Fresh” series of packaging materials launched by Japanese companies use advanced polyurethane metal catalyst technology, which is especially suitable for frozen foods. This material is said to maintain efficient gas regulation at subzero temperatures.

Domestic research achievements

In China, significant progress has also been made in the research and development of polyurethane metal catalysts. The following are some representative results:

Team of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University
Researchers from Tsinghua University have proposed a new nanoscale catalyst that can significantly improve the antibacterial properties of polyurethane materials. They proved through experiments that the killing rate of this catalyst on salmonella reached 99.99%, and did not affect the food flavor.
Jiangnan University School of Food
A study by Jiangnan University focused on the field of preservation of fruits and vegetables and developed a zinc ion-containing polyurethane film. Test results show that this film can extend the shelf life of strawberries by more than one week while maintaining a good color and taste.
Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
The team of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has successfully developed a dual-function catalyst that has strong antioxidant capacity and can effectively control the humidity level in the packaging. This material has been adopted by many domestic food companies and has achieved good market feedback.

The advantages and challenges of polyurethane metal catalysts

Although polyurethane metal catalysts have broad application prospects in the field of food packaging, they also face some technical and economic challenges.

Core Advantages

Extend the shelf life: By accurately controlling the packaging environment, the storage time of food is significantly improved.
Environmentally friendly: Compared with traditional preservatives, polyurethane metal catalysts are safer and more reliable, and in line with the modern green consumption concept.
Multifunctional Integration: integrates antibacterial, antioxidant, gas regulation and other functions, simplifies the packaging design process.

Existing Problems

High cost
Polyurethane metal catalysts are relatively expensive due to complex synthesis processes and high-end raw materials, which may limit their promotion in the low-end market.
Standardization Difficulty
Different countries and regions have different safety requirements for food packaging materials, and how to formulate unified standards is still an urgent issue to be solved.
Difficult to recycling
Polyurethane metal catalysts are often used in combination with other plastic materials, which adds the complexity of post-recycling.

Looking forward: Unlimited possibilities of polyurethane metal catalysts

With the advancement of science and technology and changes in social demand, polyurethane metal catalysts are expected to achieve more breakthroughs in the future. For example, by introducing intelligent sensing technology, packaging materials can monitor the status of food in real time and issue early warning signals; or by optimizing the production process, further reduce costs and benefit more consumers.

In short, polyurethane metal catalysts are not only a revolutionary innovation in the food packaging industry, but also a human being.A powerful tool for pursuing a healthy life. Let us look forward to this technology continuing to shine in the future and injecting new vitality into the global food supply chain!