Cellulose and Cellulose Derivative-Based Films

The food packaging industry demands safe and environment-friendly packaging materials to protect and assure the quality of products. The polymers obtained from agricultural resources are capable of producing packaging films, coatings, composites, and nanocomposites. Cellulose is one such natural polysaccharide that performs tremendous actions in the food packaging industry. The attractive combinations of mechanical and chemical properties of cellulose and its derivatives paved the way to enlarge food packaging possibilities. The replacement of synthetic plastic materials and a wide range of applications in preventing contamination and deterioration in food signifies the importance of cellulose. The current extensive research on nanocellulose compounds like cellulose nanofibers (CNF), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), and bacterial cellulose (BC) assures a greater hope for a completely green sustainable environment in the future. This chapter deals with the fundamental properties, applications, and limitations of cellulose and cellulose derivatives in the food packaging industry.