PROGRESS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
COMMERCIAL PRODUCT BY APPLYING
BIOMATERIALS
Vu Nguyen Minh Duc
August 4, 2025
1 The function of the commercial product: What does it do?
We will focus on "Food Packaging" first as a strategic starting point. This product has a faster
path to market because it does not have the strict, time-consuming regulations required for medical
products. By launching a commercial food package first, we can generate revenue that will fund our
future research and development into more advanced medical applications. On the one hand, if the
product proves to be successful, the company can proceed to develop additional plastic products, such
as plastic straws and containers (cups, bottles), by converting elastic into biomaterial.
In addition, the success of food packaging can establish government relations, which can be advan-
tageous when we begin to develop medical eco-packaging (eco means economical and eco also means
friendly environment).
2 Limitations of the commercial product: Why might a biomaterial
be better (e.g., biodegradability, biocompatibility, sustainability,
improved performance)?
The primary motivation for shifting to biomaterials stems from the significant limitations of cur-
rent packaging. In the food industry, petroleum-based plastics like PET and polypropylene are not
biodegradable, contributing to long-term environmental pollution and reliance on fossil fuels. Further-
more, there are health concerns regarding the potential for chemicals like BPA to leach into food,
especially when heated. Biomaterials offer a compelling solution to these issues, promising enhanced
sustainability for food packaging and improved biocompatibility and a reduced environmental footprint
for medical products.
For medical packaging, the challenges are different but equally critical. Medical-grade plastics
generate a massive volume of single-use, non-biodegradable waste that requires specialized disposal,
often through incineration. More importantly, materials like PVC can leach plasticizers such as DEHP,
posing a direct biocompatibility risk.
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SCHOOL OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
3 Desired properties of the biomaterial: What characteristics would
it need to possess (e.g., strength, flexibility, degradation rate, steril-
ity)?
The functional requirements for a biomaterial vary significantly based on its application. For food
packaging, the material must provide an effective barrier against moisture and oxygen to preserve
freshness. It needs sufficient mechanical strength to prevent breakage, be non-toxic, and possess heat
resistance to safely hold hot foods, a critical factor for Vietnamese cuisine. Crucially, it must be cost-
effective to compete with conventional plastics and designed to biodegrade efficiently in a compost
environment after its shelf life.
In stark contrast, the properties for medical packaging are governed by the absolute priority of
sterility. The material must maintain a perfect sterile barrier, exhibit high puncture and tear resistance,
and remain stable and inert when subjected to terminal sterilization methods like gamma irradiation
or Ethylene Oxide (EtO) gas. Purity is paramount, requiring extremely low levels of particulates and
bioburden before sterilization. While transparency for visual inspection is often desired, the materials
primary role is to protect its sterile contents until the point of use.
4 Potential biomaterial types: What natural or engineered materials
could be used?
A wide range of biomaterials can be selected for these applications, many of which can leverage
Vietnam’s abundant natural resources. For food packaging, molded pulp from sugarcane bagasse or
rice husks offers a sustainable option for rigid containers. Versatile bioplastics like Polylactic Acid
(PLA), which can be derived from local sugarcane or cassava, are excellent for clear containers and
films. Starch-based blends from rice or tapioca can be used for single-use cutlery and trays.
For medical packaging, the materials must be of a higher, well-characterized grade. These include
medical-grade PLA for rigid trays, the more flexible Polycaprolactone (PCL), and innovative options
like Bacterial Cellulose, which can be produced from coconut water and is known for its exceptional
purity and strength as a microbial barrier.
5 Manufacturing considerations: How would it be produced?
From a manufacturing standpoint, the two fields diverge completely. Food packaging production
involves standard industrial processes like thermoforming and pulp molding. The main challenges
are establishing a consistent supply chain for the agricultural feedstock and developing the end-of-life
infrastructure, such as commercial composting facilities, to realize the material’s green potential.
Conversely, manufacturing medical packaging is far more rigorous and capital-intensive. Production
must occur within a certified cleanroom (e.g., ISO Class 7 or 8) to control contamination. Every step
of the process, from molding to sealing, must be rigorously validated to guarantee consistency and
seal integrity. Finally, the finished product must undergo a validated terminal sterilization cycle, a
non-negotiable step that dictates material choice and adds significant complexity and cost to the entire
process. This regulatory barrier is the primary reason why launching a medical package is significantly
more challenging than launching a food package.