AIMPLAS, the Spanish plastics technology centre, joined the EU MULTIPLY project to develop recyclable barrier coatings derived from microalgae, featuring formulations intended for packaging substrates and active cosmetics packaging. The initiative was introduced as part of a wider consortium effort to replace fossil-derived barriers with bio-based alternatives and improve end-of-life recycling.
Project work covered coating chemistries, compatibility with existing packaging materials, and performance testing to meet barrier requirements while supporting circularity. The coatings were designed to maintain barrier properties against moisture and oxygen and to be processable with conventional coaters, helping converters and brands adopt lower-carbon materials. For consumers, the development signals packaging that supports recyclability without sacrificing protection, aligning with demand for sustainable beauty and food packaging and broader circular-economy trends.
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What's Driving This Trend
- Microalgae-based Materials
- A shift toward microalgae-derived polymers and additives creates materials with low-carbon footprints and novel functional properties that could replace fossil-based barrier layers.
- Circular Barrier Coatings
- Development of recyclable barrier coatings that balance oxygen and moisture resistance with end-of-life recyclability signals coatings designed to close material loops in packaging value chains.
- Coater-compatible Bioformulations
- Formulations engineered to run on conventional coating equipment enable rapid industrial uptake by minimizing capital changes while introducing bio-based chemistries into existing production lines.
Who This Affects Most
- Food and Beverage Packaging
- High-performance recyclable barriers can redefine shelf-life strategies and labeling, enabling lighter environmental footprints for perishable product supply chains.
- Cosmetics and Personal Care Packaging
- Active and protective packaging solutions formulated from microalgae materials offer brand-differentiating sustainability credentials for premium and mass-market beauty products.
- Plastics Recycling and Waste Management
- Barrier coatings designed for compatibility with recycling streams present opportunities to simplify sorting and improve recycled-content quality across polymer recovery systems.
