Scientometric analysis of the development of plastic packaging considering the circular economy and clean technologies: A review

Plastics are alternatives to enable the distribution of industrialized products, especially food. Packaging is versatile and of great importance for the conservation of products. However, plastic packaging impacts the environment and calls for a clean technology and circular economy approach to mitigate the damage. A scientometric analysis of the relationship between plastic packaging production and the circular economy was reviewed based on the premise that research is intrinsically linked to clean technologies. VosViewer software was used to conduct the analysis, and the revision was conducted for discussion and relationship building. We concluded that there is a gap regarding the connection between the circular economy and clean technologies with plastic packaging. The development of technologies that adapt plastic packaging to the circular economy is rarely discussed. To make plastic packaging more environmentally attractive, technologies based on eco-design are necessary to achieve an alternative scenario associated with a more sustainable circular economy.

Automated summary

Plastics serve as alternatives for distributing industrialized products, especially food. While versatile and crucial for product conservation, plastic packaging has negative environmental impacts that necessitate a clean technology and circular economy approach. This scientometric analysis reveals a gap in connecting the circular economy and clean technologies with plastic packaging, highlighting the need to develop technologies that align plastic packaging with a more sustainable circular economy through eco-design.