Bio-Based Barrier Coating Composition for Paper and Board

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The packaging industry faces a need to minimize the use of petroleum-based chemicals in coatings for paper and board due to environmental impact, while maintaining effective barrier properties, especially for food packaging.

Innovation Solution

A coating composition comprising microfibrillated non-wood biomass, cellulose derivatives, and synthetic binding agents, such as polyvinyl alcohol or polystyrene acrylate copolymer, is used to provide barrier properties for cellulosic and lignocellulosic fibers, utilizing biobased materials like agricultural residues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional petroleum-based polymers or synthetic polymer films are used for barrier coating, then barrier properties against water, water vapor, grease and oxygen are achieved, but environmental impact increases and sustainability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebarrier propertiesVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating by replacing petroleum-based polymers with microfibrillated non-wood biomass materials. This substitution maintains barrier functionality while improving environmental compatibility by utilizing renewable agricultural resources instead of depleting petroleum reserves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite coating system combining microfibrillated non-wood biomass with auxiliary agents and binding agents. This composite approach integrates multiple functional components to achieve both barrier properties and environmental sustainability, merging natural biomass with functional additives to resolve the contradiction between performance and eco-friendliness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If bio-based materials are increased in coating composition, then environmental sustainability improves, but barrier properties may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental sustainabilityVSAvoidbarrier properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the particle size parameters of microfibrillated non-wood biomass to achieve optimal barrier performance. By controlling the physical and chemical parameters of the bio-based material, the coating maintains effective barrier properties against water, water vapor, grease and oxygen while preserving high environmental sustainability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention develops a composite formulation where microfibrillated non-wood biomass is combined with auxiliary agents and binding agents in specific ratios. This composite structure ensures that barrier properties are not compromised despite using bio-based materials, as the synergistic combination of components compensates for any individual material limitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Quantity of substance

If microfibrillated non-wood biomass is used as coating material, then renewable resource utilization increases, but coating formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverenewable material contentVSAvoidcoating formulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces auxiliary agents and binding agents as intermediary components that facilitate the integration of microfibrillated non-wood biomass into a functional coating. These intermediaries simplify the formulation process by providing standardised functional building blocks that work synergistically with the biomass material, reducing overall formulation complexity despite high renewable content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition achieves barrier properties comparable to or exceeding those of petroleum-based coatings, with a high bio-based content, enhancing sustainability and reducing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

barrier properties against water, water vapor, and oxygen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBarrier properties:

Data Source

PatentUS12612734B2Composition for providing barrier properties, its use and a sheet-like product

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 KEMIRA OY

AI summary

The invention relates to a composition for providing barrier properties for a cellulosic fibre web, such as paper, board or the like. The coating composition comprises microfibrillated non-wood biomass, having a particle size D90<250 μm and particle size D50<100 μm, which microfibrillated non-wood biomass comprises at least 5 weight-% of a hemicellulose fraction and/or pectin, calculated from the dry weight of the microfibrillated non-wood biomass; an auxiliary agent comprising at least one cellulose derivative, and/or a synthetic binding agent, such as polyvinyl alcohol or polystyrene acrylate copolymer.