Bio-based Coating Matches PFAS Water Resistance
The experimental coating uses waste materials to provide a biodegradable alternative for consumer products.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Materials Science
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Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a biodegradable, bio-based waterproof coating inspired by plant suberin. This research-stage material utilizes paper industry waste and animal fat to replicate the water resistance of PFAS-based PTFE coatings.
Why it matters
The development provides a sustainable alternative to PFAS compounds, which are increasingly restricted globally due to their environmental persistence and toxicity. The material offers a path toward eliminating long-lived synthetic chemicals in consumer goods like food packaging.
The coating matches the water-repellent performance of standard polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coatings. While effective, the current iteration demonstrates lower heat tolerance than established synthetic fluoropolymers.
The players
Washington University in St. Louis
A research university that hosts the team behind this suberin-inspired material development.
Wageningen University & Research
A Dutch institution known for its focus on agriculture and food production that contributed to the study.
University of Milano-Bicocca
An Italian research institution involved in the collaborative study of this bio-based coating.
The details
The team created a slurry mimicking suberin—a natural, waxy substance found in plant bark—using industrial paper waste and animal fat. When spray-coated onto glass, metal, or cotton, the particles self-assemble into a continuous layer featuring nanostructured air pockets. These microscopic pockets minimize the surface area contact between water droplets and the substrate, effectively shedding liquid. Unlike permanent synthetic coatings, this material is designed to degrade safely in composting conditions.
Timeline
October 29, 2026: The research findings were published.
The Tech Race
The study sits at the forefront of a shift toward replacing conventional synthetic coatings with renewable, biodegradable alternatives. This research aligns with the broader objective to phase out per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in manufacturing.
This technology is currently in the research phase and is not yet available in commercial products. The team is now working to evaluate the coating for potential future applications in food packaging and other consumer goods.
The takeaway
This development proves that plant-inspired, biodegradable structures can achieve the same hydrophobic performance as synthetic industrial standards. Future research will focus on scaling these results to meet the thermal requirements of commercial food packaging.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Materials Science.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New Scientist.
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