Patent Title: Polymeric Composition Containing a Phase Change Material
IP Status: Patent applications in Türkiye and through the European Patent route
Technology Area: Cold Chain / Phase Change Materials / Polymeric Films / Thermal Packaging Technologies
TRL: 5
This technology integrates phase change materials into a flexible polymeric film, creating a thin thermal packaging structure that can be applied directly around cold-chain products. By embedding thermal protection within the packaging itself, it offers a compact alternative to separate cooling pads, ice packs and other bulky thermal components.
Technology Overview
This technology is a functional packaging material in which phase change materials are carried within halloysite nanotubes and incorporated into a thermoplastic polymer matrix. During solid-to-liquid phase transition, the phase change material absorbs heat from its surroundings and acts as a thermal buffer against temperature increases, helping products remain cool for a longer period.
Halloysite nanotubes serve as nanoscale carriers for the phase change materials. This approach facilitates the integration of phase change materials that may otherwise be liquid at room temperature into a polymeric structure, while also helping address potential leakage during use. Different phase change materials with different melting points may be selected to tailor the thermal response to specific temperature ranges.
The polymeric composition can be manufactured as a flexible film. The system can be used with polyethylene as well as other thermoplastics including polypropylene, PET, polyamide, polystyrene, PVC and polycarbonate. Phase-change-material-loaded halloysite nanotubes may be dispersed throughout the polymer film or applied as a coating on its surface.
Halloysite nanotubes can also provide an additional barrier effect by creating a more tortuous path for molecules moving through the polymer. This can contribute to reduced permeation of gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide and ethylene as well as moisture and odours, adding barrier functionality alongside thermal buffering.
A key differentiating feature is the integration of thermal protection directly into a flexible packaging film rather than relying exclusively on separate pads, ice packs or rigid thermal elements. Food cold-chain studies have been performed using polymer films approximately 15–20 microns thick, with the material maintaining cooling for up to 30 minutes. The flexible format also supports adaptation to different product geometries and packaging processes.
Problem / Market Need
Maintaining the cold chain during transportation of food, medicines, vaccines and other temperature-sensitive products is critical to product quality, safety and shelf life. Conventional solutions often rely on ice packs, thermal pads, foam insulation, cardboard structures or dedicated transportation containers. These additional components may increase packaging volume and may not easily conform to products with different shapes and dimensions.
This technology integrates thermal buffering directly into the polymeric packaging structure, offering a more compact and adaptable approach. It can provide an additional thermal buffer against unexpected temperature increases or short interruptions in cold-chain conditions during transportation and handling.
Key Advantages
- Thermal-buffering functionality integrated directly into flexible packaging film
- Potential to reduce dependence on separate cooling pads, ice packs or similar thermal components
- Thin and flexible format that can conform to different product geometries
- Controlled incorporation of phase change materials through halloysite nanotube carriers
- Thermal response can be tailored through phase change materials with different melting temperatures
- Compatibility with polyethylene and a range of common thermoplastic polymers
- Additional gas and moisture barrier potential provided by the nanotube structure
- Cooling maintained for up to 30 minutes in food-related experimental studies
Applications
- Cold-chain food packaging
- Thermal packaging for medicines and vaccines
- Transportation and storage of temperature-sensitive medical products
- Flexible thermal packaging films
- Stretch-film-type industrial packaging applications
- Thermal coatings for rigid packaging surfaces or multilayer structures
Relevant Industries
- Food and Beverage
- Cold-Chain Logistics
- Pharmaceutical and Vaccine Logistics
- Medical Products
- Packaging and Polymer Industry
- Advanced Materials
Technology Readiness Level & Validation
Technology Readiness Level: TRL 5
Laboratory studies have been performed for food cold-chain applications using polymeric films approximately 15–20 microns thick. These studies demonstrated cooling retention for up to 30 minutes. Product-level development and final application validation have not yet been completed.
Prototype development for broader cold-chain applications is ongoing. Dedicated validation for heat-retention applications has not been performed.
Intellectual Property
European Patent Publication: EP4127048A1
Patent Title: Polymeric Composition Containing a Phase Change Material
Priority Date: 26 March 2020
European Filing Date: 25 March 2021
European Publication Date: 8 February 2023
Applicant: Sabancı University
Protection Coverage: Türkiye, European Patent route
Commercialisation Status
The technology is at the prototype stage and is available for licensing.
Collaboration Opportunities
- Licensing
- Scientific consultancy
- Joint R&D and co-development
- Industrial validation and pilot testing
Potential partners may include flexible-packaging and polymer-film manufacturers, food-packaging companies, cold-chain logistics providers, pharmaceutical and vaccine transportation solution developers, and manufacturers working with thermal-management materials.
The material's thermal-energy-management capability may also provide a basis for future exploration in areas such as functional textiles and thermal management for electronics and data-centre environments.
Inventors
Inventors: Hayriye Ünal, Cüneyt Erdinç Taş
Contact
For licensing, industrial validation, joint R&D or other collaboration opportunities related to this technology, please contact Sabancı University Technology Transfer Office (SUATT) at dpe.suatt@sabanciuniv.edu.
