CNCs are an alternative renewable raw material derived from abundant resources such as wood and plants. They have properties including nontoxicity, biodegradability, high specific strength, high thermal conductivity and optical transparency, all of which make them excellent components for advanced food packaging. “The challenge for the food packaging industry is to create a recyclable and sustainable barrier material that is low-cost,” said Jeffrey Youngblood, a professor in Purdue’s School of Materials Engineering.