On 14 April 2026, the BIO-SUSHY project participated in the second Circular, Sustainable and Biobased Coatings (CSBC) Cluster workshop, which convened leading EU-funded projects and experts to exchange knowledge on next-generation sustainable coating materials.
The workshop, attended by approximately 60 participants, focused on innovative bio-based coating materials such as cellulose, lignin, algae, and starch, and examined their role in advancing circular and Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) approaches.
BIO-SUSHY Innovations in PFAS-Free Coatings
During the event, BIO-SUSHY partner WOOD K PLUS presented recent project developments on:
“Dry powder lignin-based coatings for electrostatic spray applications – paper-based food trays”
The presentation highlighted BIO-SUSHY’s progress in developing PFAS-free, bio-based thermoplastic powder coatings for food packaging. These coatings provide water and oil repellency and align with SSbD principles.
Promising Results for Food Packaging Applications
The presentation focused on the food-tray case study of the BIO-SUSHY value chain, demonstrating the potential of lignin-based coatings to replace PFAS in short-term food-contact applications.
According to the results presented:
- Excellent grease resistance was achieved (KIT rating up to 12 – maximum level)
- Strong water repellency with Cobb values up to ~3.5 g/m²
- Successful thermoforming trials for coated paper trays
- Up to 98% bio-based content in selected formulations
These results confirm the feasibility of high-performance, PFAS-free coatings that are compatible with industrial processes and meet recyclability and safety requirements.
Advancing Toward Industrial Scale and Market Uptake
BIO-SUSHY is entering its final phase, with efforts focused on:
- Scaling up selected coating formulations
- Testing compatibility with existing industrial coating lines
- Further validation in real-world food packaging applications
- Ongoing life cycle and socio-economic assessments
The project continues to address key challenges, including cost optimization, biodegradability, and regulatory compliance, to ensure market readiness.
Strengthening Collaboration Across EU Projects
The CSBC Cluster plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration among projects such as BLUECOAT, SUPREME, BIO4COAT, and BIO-SUSHY, enabling alignment between research, industry needs, and policy development.
This second workshop reinforced the importance of:
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Harmonization of SSbD methodologies
- Accelerating the transition to circular, bio-based coatings
Looking Ahead
BIO-SUSHY will continue to contribute to upcoming CSBC Cluster activities, supporting the development of safe, sustainable, and PFAS-free coating solutions. Soon, the proceedings will be available as well.
Download the presentation from Wood K Plus here.
Download the proceedings here.
