Seeking Renewably Sourced Materials for Water-based Barrier Coatings

A SpecialChem client is looking for materials that are in emulsion form or believed to be emulsifiable and provide water, oil or moisture barrier. Any solutions must be renewably sourced and food contact compliant as described below.

Barrier coatings are used in many areas and for many different properties. Many consumers are asking for such coatings to be renewably sourced and therefore less dependent on oil. This has a twofold benefit of extending a finite oil supply while reducing cost fluctuations associated with oil. A potential added benefit is a product that provides a smaller carbon footprint as well.

The SpecialChem client wants to expand its product portfolio to include a larger number of renewably sourced materials than it currently provides. Ideally, solutions will provide barrier properties around water, grease and moisture that are comparable or better than current technology. It is essential that these materials can ultimately be provided in an aqueous product while exhibiting good shelf life and stability in formulated systems.

Many petroleum based materials are currently provided in emulsified form and compounded to provide various barrier properties to various substrates.
In this case our client is seeking a solution that will:

• Be sourced from materials that are renewable. Note, while compostability and biodegradability are added desires, they are not mandatory
• Be provided in emulsified form or is believed to be emulsifiable (the seeker will be able to make this determination if there is any question)
• Be believed to be able to provide any or all of the following properties when formulated in to a water based compound:
• For water resistance: Cobb water resistance
• For oil and grease resistance: 9+ KIT rating (TAPPI T-559)
• For water vapor transmission:
• These properties assume a maximum dry coating weight of 5 to 10 grams/sq meter on kraft paper

• Be stable in emulsified form for a minimum of 6 months
• Be food contact compliant under 21CFR 176.170, 180, 175.300, 175.320, and the European Plastics Implementation Measure. Note: if not compliant due to never having been submitted but believed to be compliable, do not eliminate
• Be cost competitive to current petro-based materials
• Provide for repulpability/recyclability of paper coated with the material and recyclability of other substrates.

Any solutions will be evaluated within six months with full commercialization of successful materials within two years from now.

A company who has a proven solution and is looking for a channel to market and is open to transfer of Intellectual Property rights (for a fair price of course) would be an ideal respondent.