Imagine a non-stick pan, but for your takeout boxes and sofa fabric. Instead of using harmful 'forever chemicals' that linger in nature, this project uses plant-based materials and mineral-like hybrids to block grease and water. It's like giving materials a natural shield that keeps them clean without poisoning the planet.
Companies using PFAS in packaging and textiles face increasing regulatory bans and environmental pressure. Current alternatives are often too expensive or fail to provide the necessary oil and water barriers.
Two specific coating chemistries: cellulose fatty acid esters for food packaging and silane-based organic-inorganic hybrids for textiles. A computational SSbD model for toxicology and performance was also created.
If you are a packaging manufacturer dealing with strict PFAS bans — this project developed cellulose fatty acid ester coatings that provide high oil and grease resistance. This allows you to maintain barrier performance while keeping cost increases under 20%.
If you are a furniture producer dealing with liquid stains on fabrics — this project developed silane-based organic-inorganic hybrids. These coatings provide high water and oil repellency for upholstery without using toxic PFAS compounds.
If you are a chemical supplier dealing with the need for sustainable alternatives — this project developed a Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) methodology. This provides a roadmap for creating non-toxic coatings with a >25% improvement in environmental impact.
The project targets a final product cost of approximately 0.2-0.4 €/m2, aiming to keep the price increase under 20% compared to current alternatives.
Based on available project data, the consortium includes 6 industrial partners and specifically evaluates the manufacturability of the coatings to ensure they can be integrated into existing value chains.
Based on available project data, the project focuses on developing a certification and regulatory roadmap to identify knowledge gaps and standardization processes, though specific licensing terms are not listed.
The project develops a regulatory roadmap and uses SSbD analysis to ensure coatings meet hazard and law requirements, specifically replacing PFAS compounds.
The project period runs from 2023-01-01 to 2025-12-31, suggesting that validated results and certifications will be finalized by the end of 2025.
The consortium is highly commercially oriented, with a 50% industry ratio (6 industrial partners out of 12). The presence of 4 SMEs and partners across 9 European countries suggests a strong focus on scaling the technology across the packaging and textile value chains, moving beyond academic research into practical industrial application.
Contact TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY in Finland for technical specifications.
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