PFAS- and plastic-free barrier coatings and films
Innovative PFAS- and plastic-free barrier coatings and films utilizing a biopolymer, plant-waste, and food-grade mineral. Offers high resistance to water, grease, and heat, fully safe for food contact, recyclable and compostable.
Overview
The proposed solution is an eco-friendly barrier coating and film system designed to replace PFAS and plastic in various applications. It incorporates a tri-class system comprising a biopolymer, an industrial plant-waste byproduct, and a food-grade mineral, all rooted in green chemistry principles. These coatings and films are specifically formulated to provide exceptional resistance to water, grease, and heat, making them suitable for food contact applications. Additionally, the system is designed to be recyclable, repulpable, compostable, and renewable, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional barrier materials.
Technical specifications
- Biopolymer: Acts as the primary film-forming agent, enhancing tensile strength through hydrogen bonding and mechanical interlocking with cellulose fibers.
- Industrial plant-waste: Improves cohesion and flexibility of the coating.
- Food-grade mineral: Increases tortuosity, effectively blocking pores and limiting fluid transport.
- Application versatility: Formulations can be blended or applied as separate layers, providing tailored resistance on one or both sides of the substrate.
- Scalability: Compatible with existing forming, converting, and coating processes, ensuring cost-competitive production.
Technology readiness level
This technology is currently at TRL 4, indicating it has been validated in a laboratory setting. Further co-development with industry partners will focus on iterative testing and optimization to meet specific commercial performance requirements.
About Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester Institute of Technology is a private research university with an applied, career‑focused culture and a global campus network. Industry access is built into its model through a large cooperative education program, a dedicated corporate partnerships gateway for scoping sponsored research, and a university‑backed incubator. Co‑located capabilities include an on‑campus semiconductor cleanroom serving academic and industrial users and clinical collaboration via an alliance with Rochester Regional Health, alongside proximity to the region’s dense optics, photonics, and imaging cluster. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NSF, NIH, DOE, DoD, NASA, and New York State. A dedicated intellectual property and technology transfer office supports licensing and startup formation.
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