Ultrathin graphene moisture barrier coatings for dry food packaging
Scalable graphene-based ultrathin moisture barrier coatings for dry food packaging, applied via ultrasonic spray coating compatible with roll-to-roll manufacturing. Leverages graphene's atomically thin structure to prevent water vapor transmission, offering a potentially lightweight and efficient alternative to conventional packaging barriers.
Overview
This solution proposes ultrathin graphene coatings as moisture barrier layers for packaging dry foods. Graphene, a two-dimensional carbon material, is well suited for this application due to its atomically thin crystal structure and demonstrated ability to act as a diffusion barrier against water and other elements. Prior research has shown graphene layers improving moisture barrier efficiency on copper surfaces and double-layer graphene serving as transparent, scalable, and stretchable barriers in flexible organic electronics. This offering extends that concept to food packaging, targeting a scalable, roll-coating-compatible deposition method suitable for high-volume manufacturing.
Technical specifications
Core technology:
- Ultrathin graphene films used as primer layers and top coats on packaging substrates
- Deposition via ultrasonic spray coating, where ultrasonic-frequency atomization produces homogeneous graphene dispersions and uniform film thickness
- Process designed for compatibility with roll coating methods commonly used in industrial coating lines (analogous to textile dyeing applications)
- Characterization of films using a range of techniques to verify moisture barrier performance against packaging requirements
Key differentiators:
- Scalable coating methodology, unlike prior laboratory demonstrations that relied on vacuum-based chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition
- Eliminates the need for metal growth substrates such as copper, enabling direct application onto food packaging substrates
- Potential to achieve barrier performance in an ultrathin format, reducing material usage
Technology readiness level
The technology is at an early-to-mid stage of development. Proof-of-concept evidence exists from published studies showing graphene's effectiveness as a moisture barrier in electronics applications, but this proposal explicitly addresses the gap of translating that performance to food packaging using scalable, roll-coating-compatible processes. Planned validation includes producing graphene films via ultrasonic spray coating and characterizing them to confirm they meet moisture barrier requirements for dry food packaging. Further development and pilot-scale trials would be required before commercial deployment.
About Concrene Ltd
Concrene Limited is a London-based nanotechnology company that develops and licenses patented graphene-reinforced concrete formulations. Spun off from the University of Exeter, the company utilizes advanced nanotechnologies to enhance traditional concrete, resulting in a product that is significantly stronger and more water-impermeable. The Concrene® mix design is protected by granted patents in the US, Canada, and the EU, and is designed for global application across diverse construction projects. The company operates a licensing-based business model, partnering with concrete manufacturers and construction firms to integrate graphene into their products, while collaborating with large-scale graphene producers to supply the necessary raw materials.
This technology addresses critical environmental challenges in the construction sector by providing a more sustainable alternative to standard concrete, which is a major contributor to global carbon emissions. By replacing traditional concrete with Concrene®, project stakeholders can significantly reduce the volume of CO2 emissions associated with their building projects. The company's versatile solution is compatible with various concrete mixes and is actively being applied in residential construction and other real estate assets, supporting the industry's transition toward net-zero strategies and improved infrastructure durability.
delivered to your inbox.