Sustainable and Repulpable Barrier Coatings for Fiber-Based Materials for Food Packaging: A Review

Due to the inherent hydrophilic nature and porosity of paper fibers, hydrophobic polymeric materials, waxes, inorganic fillers have been widely utilized as coatings fillers, respectively, on a fiber-based substrate. Coatings also impart oxygen, aroma, oil barrier properties desirable for food packaging applications. In addition, improve functional characteristics paper, including reduced water absorbance, enhanced surface finish, gloss printability, readability, dimensional stability substrate, antimicrobial performance. Such are highly consumer However, such may limit repulpability, recyclability, biodegradability, compostability paperboard. contamination substrate by-product limits recyclability substrates, paperboard, or corrugated material ends up in landfill sites. This review focuses bioderived, biodegradable, compostable, organic, inorganic, hybrid coatings, which promote circular economy by improving repulpability reduces carbon footprints.