Scientific Study

Background: The profound use of polyethylene-derived packaging materials has generated significant environmental problems with its non-degradability. The necessity of sustainable substitutes has resulted in intensive research on bio-based packaging materials. Almond shells are the byproduct of almond production, either discarded or burned in the almond industry. Scope and approach: Almond shells have potential food packaging applications that focus on waste reduction and sustainability. This review examines the prospect of almond shells, a cheap agro-industrial waste, as a desirable building block for next-generation biocomposite packaging material. Transitioning to almond shell-based food packaging can emphasize biodegradability, recyclability, and use of renewable resources. Key findings and conclusions: Almond shells are abundant in lignocellulosic content and improve the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and barrier behavior of biodegradable polymer matrices, hence providing a potential reinforcement of biopolymers like polylactic acid (PLA) and starch composites. Although potentially valuable, processing inefficiency, cost, and regulatory issues deter wide-ranging applicability. Future breakthroughs in nanotechnology, intelligent packaging, and advanced manufacturing processes, including 3D printing for customized and functional biocomposite packaging, can further enhance almond shell-based biocomposites' functionality and commercial potential. There must be a strategic transition towards bio-based packaging, accompanied by policy encouragement and industry cooperation, to mitigate plastic pollution and create a more sustainable packaging sector.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2025.105258