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Articles by Rafael Auras
Leveraging Life Cycle Assessment for Informing Packaging Eco-Design and Eco-Modulation
1 Introduction Over 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) were generated globally in 2020 (UNEP 2024). The United States (U.S.) alone produced more than 300 million tons of MSW (U.S. EPA 2024b), and over twice that amount in construction and demolition (C&D) debris, as reported in 2018 (U.S. EPA 2024a).
Impact of emerging packaging regulations on international trade and product safety with emphasis on plastic reuse and recycling in Europe and North America
Impact of emerging packaging regulations on international trade and product safety with emphasis on plastic reuse and recycling in Europe and North America , , , , The evolving global landscape of packaging regulations, driven by heightened public concern over single-use packaging and plastic waste, signals a significant shift toward circular economy principles.
Composting Performance of l-Poly(lactic acid), d-Poly(lactic acid), Their Blends, and Stereocomplex PLA Films
ACS Omega Cite this: ACS Omega 2025, XXXX, XXX Click to copy citationCitation copied! . This publication is licensed under CC-BY 4.0 . You are free to share (copy and redistribute) this article in any medium or format and to adapt (remix, transform, and build upon) the material for any purpose, even commercially within the parameters below: Creative Commons (CC): This is a Creative Commons license. Attribution (BY): Credit must be given to the creator.
Density and Crystallinity Correlations: Enhancing Moisture Barrier Properties in Poly(l‐Lactic Acid), Poly(d‐Lactic Acid), and Stereocomplex‐Poly(l,d‐Lactic Acid) Films
1 Introduction The global flexible packaging market was estimated at USD 271 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to USD 373 billion by 2030 [1]. The demand is driven by consumer convenience and the cost-effectiveness of flexible packaging in the packaged food, beverage, and healthcare sectors [1]. As the plastic packaging market grows, so does the amount of plastic reaching the municipal solid waste (MSW).
Creation of Composite Aerogels Consisting of Activated Carbon and Nanocellulose Blended with Cross-Linked Biopolymers: Application as Ethylene Scavengers
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Microstructural, mechanical, thermo‐rheological, barrier, and antimicrobial properties of coextruded tri‐layer polylactide/encapsulated geraniol/polylactide‐graphene nanoplatelets films
CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Supporting Information Filename Description pat6488-sup-0001-Figures.docxWord 2007 document , 194.8 KB Supplementary Figure S1. Typical DSC thermogram of PLA/PLA-GER/PLA-GNP multilayer films at a heating rate of 5°C/min. Supplementary Figure S2. Melt rheology of polylactide-based multilayered films (PLA/PLA-GER/PLA-GNP) at 160°C (a) elastic modulus, (b) viscous modulus, and (c) complex viscosity.
Assessing environmental trade-offs in packaging systems for infant formula delivery: A cradle-to-gate plus end-of-life life cycle assessment
An LCA study was conducted comparing three packaging systems to deliver infant formula, including primary (plastic, composite, and steel containers), secondary (corrugated box), and tertiary (pallet) levels, all manufactured and distributed in North America. The project goal involved quantifying each system's environmental footprint (EF), evaluating the effect of end-of-life (EoL) modeling in LCA results, and interpreting trade-offs among environmental impact indicators.
Unlocking the secrets of high-water barrier stereocomplex polylactide blend extrusion films
Unlocking the secrets of high-water barrier stereocomplex polylactide blend extrusion films James F. Macnamara, Jr., Maria Rubino, Matthew Daum, Ajay Kathuria and Rafael Auras Consumers, companies, and governments are becoming more interested in compostable materials as the amount of waste generated from single-use petrochemical-based and non-biodegradable plastics has grown exponentially since 1960.
Accelerating Biodegradation: Enhancing Poly(lactic acid) Breakdown at Mesophilic Environmental Conditions with Biostimulants
Accelerating Biodegradation: Enhancing Poly(lactic acid) Breakdown at Mesophilic Environmental Conditions with Biostimulants Pooja C. Mayekar and Rafael Auras Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has garnered interest due to its low environmental footprint and ability to replace conventional polymers and be disposed of in industrial composting environments.
Modulating Barrier Properties of Stereocomplex Polylactide: The Polymorphism Mechanism and Its Relationship with Rigid Amorphous Fraction
The barrier properties of semicrystalline polymers are crucial for their performance and their use as packaging materials. This work uncovers the mechanism of polymorphism modification (α, α′ and stereocomplex-crystals) and its combined effect on the oxygen and water vapor barrier properties of semicrystalline stereocomplex polylactide (SCPLA).
Effect of Chemical and Steam Explosion Pulping on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Sugarcane Straw Pulp Trays
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Mapping class learning outcomes of the core curriculum to university learning goals at Michigan State University's School of Packaging
Abstract Class learning outcomes (CLOs) supporting the interdisciplinary curriculum of the School of Packaging (SoP) at Michigan State University (MSU) were mapped to competency-based, programmatic learning outcomes (CPLOs) undergirded by broad learning goals of the University (MSU-LGs).
Mapping class learning outcomes of the core curriculum to university learning goals at Michigan State University's School of Packaging
RESEARCH ARTICLE Funding information: Michigan State University; College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Abstract Class learning outcomes (CLOs) supporting the interdisciplinary curriculum of the School of Packaging (SoP) at Michigan State University (MSU) were mapped to competency-based, programmatic learning outcomes (CPLOs) undergirded by broad learning goals of the University (MSU-LGs).
Role of stereocomplex in advancing mass transport and thermomechanical properties of polylactide
Role of stereocomplex in advancing mass transport and thermomechanical properties of polylactide Qi Chen, ab Rafael Auras c and Ilke Uysal-Unalan *ab Abstract Designing high-performance renewable polylactide (PLA) based materials will assist in achieving the full potential of PLA as a sustainable alternative to fossil-based polymers, addressing the current challenge of low circulation of PLA in the green bioeconomy due to low market share.
PLLA‐ZIF‐8 metal organic framework composites for potential use in food applications: Production, characterization and migration studies
RESEARCH ARTICLE Ajay Kathuria Corresponding Author akathuri@calpoly.edu orcid.org/0000-0003-4755-6068 Industrial Technology and Packaging, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, 93407 USA Correspondence Ajay Kathuria, Industrial Technology and Packaging, California Polytechnic State University, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA.
Evaluation of oriented poly(lactide) polymers vs. existing PET and oriented PS for fresh food service containers
Research Article Rafael A. Auras Corresponding Author E-mail address: aurasraf@msu.edu School of Packaging, MSU, East Lansing, MI 48824‐1223, USA R. A. Auras, School of Packaging, MSU, East Lansing, MI 48824‐1223, USA Search for more papers by this author PDF Share Get access to the full version of this article.View access options below. If you have previously obtained access with your personal account, Please log in.
Evaluation of oriented poly(lactide) polymers vs. existing PET and oriented PS for fresh food service containers
Research Article Rafael A. Auras Corresponding Author E-mail address: aurasraf@msu.edu School of Packaging, MSU, East Lansing, MI 48824‐1223, USA R. A.
Packaging Strategies That Save Food: A Research Agenda for 2030
Summary Thoroughly considering and optimizing packaging systems can avoid food loss and waste. We suggest a number of issues that must be explored and review the associated challenges. Five main issues were recognized through the extensive experience of the authors and engagement of multiple stakeholders.
Packaging Strategies That Save Food: A Research Agenda for 2030
Thoroughly considering and optimizing packaging systems can avoid food loss and waste. We suggest a number of issues that must be explored and review the associated challenges. Five main issues were recognized through the extensive experience of the authors and engagement of multiple stakeholders.
Environmental Sustainability of Fluid Milk Delivery Systems in the United States
Beverage producers in the United States choose packaging based on cost and consumer preference. Monolayer high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and gable-top carton containers have long dominated the U.S. fluid milk market, but pressure for more sustainable packaging is increasing. We present a broad discussion on environmental sustainability of 18 fluid milk containers through life cycle assessment.
A roadmap towards green packaging: current status and future outlook for polyesters in the packaging industry
Approximately 99% of the plastics produced today are petroleum-based, and the packaging industry alone consumes over 39% of these plastics. In this review, we argue that renewable polyesters can provide a key milestone as renewable plastics in the route toward green packaging. This review describes different classes of polyesters with particular regard to their potential use as packaging materials.
Evaluation of Biodegradation-Promoting Additives for Plastics
Biodegradation-promoting additives for polymers are increasingly being used around the world with the claim that they effectively render commercial polymers biodegradable. However, there is a lot of uncertainty about their effectiveness in degrading polymers in different environments. In this study, we evaluated the effect of biodegradation-promoting additives on the biodegradation of polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
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