Mantrose-Haeuser expands compostable barrier coatings for food packaging amid PFAS health concerns

28 Sep 2020 --- US-based Mantrose-Haeuser Co. is expanding its line of certified compostable barrier coatings for environmentally sustainable food packaging, dubbed VerdeCoat. The expansion comes in response to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) being linked with detrimental health effects.

A recent review by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found a host of potential health effects associated with PFAS exposure, including cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility, and increased risk of asthma and thyroid disease.

In July last year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggested a voluntary phase-out of PFAS that contain 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH).

As PFASs are mainly used for grease and moisture resistance in paper, paperboard and molded fiber food packaging, the FDA points to the potential human health risks from food contact dietary exposure.

The VerdeCoat compostable barriers can be customized for various food packaging applications.This phase-out of PFAS has been “one of the drivers for the VerdeCoat business internationally,” Lee Hyde, senior vice president of corporate development at Mantrose-Haeuser, tells PackagingInsights.

VerdeCoat barrier coatings are approved for direct food contact by the FDA under 21 CFR 176.170 and 176.180. It also complies with BfR XXXVI, which is widely accepted in Europe, and is Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)-certified compostable. This product line provides “outstanding” barrier properties for water, MVTR, and oil and grease resistance, Hyde explains.

Repulpability and recyclability benefits
Ten years ago, “well before the recent global push to eliminate plastic packaging,” Mantrose-Haeuser began developing barrier coatings for direct food contact. “We invested heavily in R&D over that period to create what is today an extensive global product line,” says Hyde.

In addition to compostability, paperboard and molded fiber food packaging, producers can use VerdeCoat barrier coatings to eliminate plastic laminates, increase repulpability and recyclability rates and avoid using coatings and materials derived from undesirable or banned chemicals. 

“One of the challenges was making sure our coatings would be easy to process across the wide range of equipment used by the industry and we were able to accomplish that. Today, VerdeCoat is applied using flexographic and rotogravure printing presses, spray systems and rod coaters,” says Hyde.

The VerdeCoat range of water-based coatings can be applied to flat stock such as paper and paperboard, as well as 3D molded fiber or molded starch substrates in the forms of trays, bowls, lidding, frozen food and microwaveable food packaging, cups, and plates.

Last month, Mantrose-Haeuser expanded its VerdeCoat line of products with a new green barrier coating technology. VerdeCoat WB-1-2 is the latest product in the VerdeCoat line to receive BPI Certification for compostability. 

By Anni Schleicher

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