PAPER TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL - Paving the way towards “paperization” with CargillTM barrier coatings. Diego Fort, Senior R&D Specialist, Cargill Andreas Voigt, Senior Technical Account Manager, Cargill - Paper Technology International 2026 - Book - Page 111

PAPER TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL - Paving the way towards “paperization” with CargillTM barrier coatings. Diego Fort, Senior R&D Specialist, Cargill Andreas Voigt, Senior Technical Account Manager, Cargill

PAPER TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL - Paving the way towards “paperization”
with CargillTM barrier coatings. Diego Fort, Senior R&D Specialist, Cargill
Andreas Voigt, Senior Technical Account Manager, Cargill
INTRODUCTION:
Starch-based materials are increasingly being used as more sustainable alternatives for oil and grease barriers (OGR) in paper
packaging. These materials offer several advantages over traditional synthetic barriers (e.g. 昀氀uorochemicals), which are commonly used but
which can pose environmental and health concerns according to the European Chemical Agency. As a result, the adoption of starch-based
barriers in paper packaging represents a signi昀椀cant step towards striving for more sustainable packaging solutions.
Cargill has been innovating in barrier coatings for some time and we are now ready to launch our new CargillTM Barrier Coatings
product range, based on modi昀椀ed starch, offering medium to great resistance to oil and grease.
An innovation timeline towards barrier coatings
The constant battle against oil and grease has been
ravaging for years in the food industry. Early on, food vendors used
simple wax-coated papers to wrap their products. These papers did
a decent job but often left customers with greasy hands and stained
clothes.
Further down the line, better solutions became available. In
the mid-20th century, plastic coatings were introduced, mainly based
on polyethylene. These new barriers were more effective, keeping
the food fresh for longer, and without the greasy hands. However,
they were not perfect, as they contributed to the growing problem of
plastic waste.
Then came the era of 昀氀uorochemicals, including PFAS.
These chemicals provided exceptional oil and grease resistance,
which made them a favourite for fast food wrappers and take-away
containers. But soon, it was discovered that PFAS materials were
not as harmless as they initially seemed.
In response, innovators began exploring new, more
sustainable alternatives. They developed water-based coatings,
biodegradable materials, and nature derived substances like starch
and proteins. These new barriers proved to not only be effective but
also seem to show a better environmental pro昀椀le.
Achieving these barriers varies in dif昀椀culty. Wax coatings
are relatively easy and inexpensive, while biodegradable and nature
derived barriers require more advanced technology and investment.
However, the push for more sustainable solutions is driving
innovation, making these alternative options more accessible and
effective.
Image 1: KCL plant – the plant the trials took place to con昀椀rm
starch performances at realistic, practise conditions.
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