Biodegradable coatings or adhesives for PHA films | Materials

Biodegradable coatings or adhesives for PHA films

Background
What we're looking for
What we can offer you
Who we are

Background

We have been working on bio-based/biodegradable flexible films for food packaging to help achieve our sustainability goals of having 100% RCBR (recyclable, compostable, biodegradable, or reusable) compliance for our packages as well as 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2030. While flexible packaging is a very sustainable option from a material use point of view, the multi-layer, multi-material structures are not conducive for recycling.

Our goal is to develop a multi-layer packaging solution where all of the component pieces are biodegradable. We are thus seeking biodegradable coatings or adhesives for our PHA films.

What we're looking for

PepsiCo is seeking biodegradable coating and adhesive solutions for flexible PHA films used in food packaging that can perform as well as non-compostable materials.

Solutions of interest include:

Adhesives
Primer coatings
Over-print varnish (OPV)

Our must-have requirements are:

All solutions must be at the least industrially compostable
If the solution is an adhesive, it must:
Have good adhesion to metal and ink (bond strength of > 50 gf/inch)
Be water-based, preferably solvent-less, and applicable on a flexographic line (Solvent-based adhesive solutions are less preferable.)
If the solution is a primer coating, it must:
Anchor metal or provide enhanced barrier
Be applicable on our PHA films by roll coating processes
If the solution is an over-print varnish (OPV), it must:
Be applicable on the gravure or flexo printing line (It can be water-or solvent-based)

Our nice-to-have's are: