Polysaccharide polyelectrolyte complex composites for compostable barrier materials
Compostable, edible polysaccharide-based composites forming insoluble films, foams, sheets, coatings, and bulk materials with strong water and oil barrier performance. Validated against TAPPI T559 grease resistance standards and stable across pH 3–9 and high-salt environments. Currently being commercialized with industry partners across packaging and pulp and paper applications.
Overview
This solution transforms natural, compostable, and edible soluble polysaccharides into insoluble, high-performance barrier materials using polysaccharide polyelectrolyte complexes. By combining cationic and anionic polysaccharides, the technology creates composites that resist disruption by water, enabling durable films, foams, sheets, coatings, and bulk materials. These materials offer a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based packaging and barrier products, with demonstrated grease and aqueous barrier performance and active commercial development with approximately ten industry partners.
Technical specifications
- Core mechanism: Electrostatic bonding between cationic and anionic polysaccharides forms insoluble complexes that are more stable than hydrogen bonding with water.
- Material formats: Insoluble foams, sheets, coatings, and bulk materials produced from natural, edible polysaccharides.
- Grease resistance: Meets TAPPI T559 grease resistance standard.
- Aqueous barrier performance: Coatings maintain barrier function across pH 3–9 and in salt concentrations greater than 1 M for approximately two weeks.
- Sustainability profile: Feedstocks are natural, compostable, and edible, supporting circular and bio-based packaging goals.
- Scalability: Production is being scaled toward thousands of gallons per day to support pulp and paper and broader packaging applications.
Technology readiness level
The technology has progressed beyond laboratory validation. Insoluble foams, sheets, and coatings have been produced and tested against industry grease resistance standards. Commercialization is underway with approximately ten companies exploring diverse applications, and scaling efforts are targeting production volumes of thousands of gallons per day for the pulp and paper and packaging sectors.
About Penn State University
Penn State University is a comprehensive public land‑grant research university with a large multi‑campus footprint across Pennsylvania. Industry engages through a research and technology park adjacent to the flagship campus that houses corporate R&D, co‑located labs, and flexible collaboration space, as well as a statewide extension network that enables field testing, demonstration, and workforce reach. Integration with a major hospital system supports clinical translation, and an applied research laboratory fosters mission‑driven partnerships with government and industry sponsors. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NSF, NIH, DOE, USDA, DoD, and NASA. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation to accelerate commercialization.
delivered to your inbox.