A Michigan State University researcher has received a $540,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to develop biodegradable packaging that could reshape how food and consumer goods stay protected. Muhammad Rabnawaz, a professor in MSU’s School of Packaging, will lead the two-year project. He aims to create thermoplastic materials that are cost-efficient, high-performing and free of lingering microplastics. The work addresses a problem that affects farmers, food producers and consumers alike: what happens to packaging once it has done its job.
Packaging keeps food, medicine and other goods safe from contamination. However, most of it cannot be recycled, especially plastic. As a result, packaging waste contributes heavily to the roughly 350 million tons of plastic waste generated worldwide each year.
Why Biodegradable Packaging Matters for Food and Agriculture
Rabnawaz, who also holds the title of MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Faculty Laureate, said multilayer plastics play a critical role in protecting moisture-sensitive products. Food, medicine and other goods rely on these materials to stay fresh and safe during shipping and storage. Unfortunately, that same protective quality makes the packaging difficult to break down after use.
“Multilayer plastics serve an important role in protecting moisture-sensitive food, medicine and other products, but they also contribute to the accumulation of plastic pollution and microplastics in food, water and soil,” Rabnawaz said. He added that reducing microplastic pollution is a priority for the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency and other groups concerned about environmental and human health.
Using AI to Speed Up Materials Research
Rabnawaz will combine hands-on laboratory experiments with artificial intelligence-driven machine learning to test new material combinations faster. Instead of relying solely on trial and error, the machine learning models help researchers predict which formulas might work before they even hit the lab bench. This approach could shorten the path toward materials that decompose safely in composting environments.
The project builds on earlier work from the NSF-funded Center for Plastic, Paper and Hybrid Packaging End-of-Life Solutions. Because that center already laid groundwork on packaging disposal challenges, Rabnawaz’s team can move forward with a head start. Funding for the research also comes in part through MSU AgBioResearch.
A Potential $40 Billion Market for Compostable Packaging
Beyond the environmental benefits, Rabnawaz sees a significant economic opportunity. He estimates the project could help open the door to a compostable packaging market worth roughly $40 billion annually. Farmers and food processors who currently deal with packaging waste disposal costs could eventually benefit from cheaper, easier-to-manage alternatives.
Developing materials that truly break down in composting environments, without leaving persistent plastic fragments behind, remains the biggest technical hurdle. Consequently, Rabnawaz’s team will spend the next two years testing formulations designed to solve exactly that problem.
What This Means for Farmers and the Food Supply Chain
This research matters to farmers and ranchers because packaging touches nearly every stage of the food supply chain, from seed bags to produce wrapping to shipping materials. Biodegradable packaging that performs well and composts cleanly could reduce waste management costs across agriculture. Additionally, it could ease pressure on landfills and cut microplastic contamination in soil and water, both of which affect crop and livestock production long-term.
Readers should watch for updates as Rabnawaz’s team publishes results over the next two years. If the project succeeds, biodegradable packaging solutions could move from the lab toward commercial use sooner than expected. For now, the grant represents an early but promising step toward solving one of agriculture’s persistent waste problems.
Those interested in following the project’s progress can learn more through MSU AgBioResearch. This story is based on a press release from Michigan State University AgBioResearch Communications.