Northwestern University researchers have developed a new water and oil-resistant material that could potentially become a safe, viable replacement for harmful plastics and toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging.
Derived from graphene oxide, the material is said to be non-toxic, ‘environmentally friendly’ and affordable. When applied to paper-based food and beverage packaging, the material provides ‘exceptional barrier properties’ and significantly enhances the product’s overall strength.
After use, packaging treated with the material can be readily composted or recycled. GO-Eco — a subsidiary of Chang Robotics and a resident startup at Northwestern’s Querrey InQbation Lab — is commercializing the patent-pending product. Recent independent, third-party industry-standard evaluations have shown that Northwestern’s material significantly improves strength and barrier properties compared to current commercially available solutions.
Timothy Wei, adjunct professor of mechanical engineering at Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering and chief scientist at Chang Robotics, co-developed the product with graphene oxide expert SonBinh Nguyen, a professor of chemistry at Northwestern’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. Nguyen and Wei have developed a new proprietary process that harnesses the unique properties of graphene oxide — oxidized single-atom-thick sheets of carbon atoms — to enhance the barrier properties of paper and cardboard products.
After developing the process, the team rigorously tested the material on a diverse range of food and beverage packaging prototypes including cardboard boxes, plastic produce bags and disposable tableware, such as plates, cups and straws. In every instance, the new material apparently rendered these products resistant to water, oil and grease, while simultaneously boosting the strength of the paper substrates. The Q, Northwestern’s Office of Undergraduate Research and The Alumnae of Northwestern University, initially assisted the research with internship support.
GO-Eco has advanced product testing from the laboratory stage at The Q to industry-standard evaluations at Western Michigan University’s Paper Pilot Plant. The tests confirmed that applying small amounts of graphene oxide increases barrier performance and paper strength by 30%-50% over what is commonly used in the market, with the cost remaining comparable to current commercial barrier products. These findings apply to a broad array of materials from moulded fibre products such as tableware to corrugated cardboard packaging.
GO-Eco says it is currently discussing production and pilot testing with several companies. The next steps include scaling production, pursuing FDA food-contact approvals and certifying the recyclability and compostability of paper treated with graphene oxide. It also plans to conduct a full-scale production trial for moulded fibre and traditional paper-sheet prototypes.
In related news, last year Carccu designed renewable, PFAS-free greaseproof papers to meet a growing demand for sustainability-minded packaging materials in food packaging while maintaining the necessary food safety and barrier properties. The papers apparently undergo a ‘specialized manufacturing process’ to achieve a dense, non-porous surface to avoid absorption and keep the food fresh without the addition of PFAS.
As part of our Innovation Spotlight series, in March Ampacet explained how its portfolio of PFAS-free Polymer Processing Aids (PPA) complies with global food regulations and can be used for film and extrusion processing applications. The portfolio aims to provide an effective alternative to conventional fluorinated PPA masterbatches.
If you liked this story, you might also enjoy:
The ultimate guide to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation in 2025
How are the top brands progressing on packaging sustainability?
Everything you need to know about global packaging sustainability regulation in 2025
The key to increasing the use of reusable packaging in supermarkets
No comments yet