PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance)-free molded fiber: The future is already here

With renewed interest in food packaging materials that can be both recyclable and compostable and the environmental concerns about plastic pollution in the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, molded fiber food packaging is experiencing an unprecedented demand around the globe. However, the phase-out of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), commonly used as a water/grease resistant agent in food contact molded materials in many jurisdictions, has posed a significant challenge to the industry. This perspective outlines a recently developed solution to replace PFASs through the application of a layer of cellulose nanofibrils on the surface of molded fiber objects.