Biodegradable plastics have been around for a long time, but have so far only been of limited use for food. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research in Würzburg (Germany) want to change this with a new class of materials. Four questions to Sabine Amberg-Schwab, chemist and head of the Barrier and Multifunctional Coatings Department. What is missing from biodegradable plastics so far to be used for food packaging? Amberg-Schwab: Biopolymers do not provide