Kemira and Danimer Scientific Commercialize Bio-based PHA Coatings

On May 3, Kemira and Danimer Scientific Inc. announced an agreement. Under the agreement, the two parties will collaborate to commercialize bio-based coatings for paper and board. The companies will launch newly developed coatings for the food and beverage industry in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The new agreement builds on a collaboration between the two companies that began in December 2020 to develop a coating and surface treatment technology to ensure that paper and cardboard products such as disposable coffee cups can be composted at home and in the workplace, and biodegradable in soil and water environments. Danimer's biopolymer PHA is made from vegetable oils and serves as a biodegradable alternative to traditional plastics for the manufacture of coating materials.

The new PHA-based water-based barrier coatings are heat sealable and provide excellent oil, water and grease barrier properties. Other benefits include repulpability, which allows paper to be recycled without special equipment for full fiber recovery. These attributes further enhance the sustainability of the material, allowing brands to offer products that contribute to a circular economy and reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste.

PHA coatings can be used to replace polyethylene and provide a viable alternative to polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS). PFAS are being phased out from food packaging around the world due to the potential health hazards associated with their use.

Recap

In December 2020, Kemira announced an exclusive partnership with Danimer to develop degradable coatings for the paper and board industry. Kemira evaluates Danimer Scientific's Nodax™ PHA as a commercial, fully bio-based alternative to polyethylene for the production of recyclable paper and board products using renewable resources.

Kemira, a global leader in sustainable chemical solutions for water-intensive industries, and Danimer Scientific, a leading developer and manufacturer of biodegradable materials, aim to produce coatings for limited commercial use in 2021, and then Explore a wider range of production options. As demand for sustainable paper and board products from brand owners and consumers increases, this coating and surface treatment will ensure that paper and board products are fully biodegradable in soil and water.