Read the full article by Lori Valigra (Bangor Daily News)
“Tree pulp and seaweed — two readily available natural resources in Maine — could replace the harmful coatings of ‘forever chemicals’ that had been used widely until recently in food wrappers if several projects underway in the state reach commercial production.
University of Maine researchers are developing highly refined pulp cellulose and seaweed coatings that could add grease- and oil-resistance properties to paper. They are similar in function to, but safer than, certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, that have been used.
The paper industry has already expressed interest in potentially producing PFAS-free coated paper using the university’s work, although commercial production is several years off. A Portland-based start-up, Everything Seaweed, also is developing seaweed-based materials as an eco-friendly replacement for PFAS food packaging coatings.” …