Kemira and Danimer Scientific Inc. announced Kemira's key market-wide, multi-year licensing and supply agreement for the commercialization of bio-based coatings for paper and board products. The companies will work together to introduce new coatings developed for the food and beverage industry to the markets of North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa in the coming years. The size of the relevant dispersion coating market is currently around EUR 500 million and is expected to grow by around 10% per year.

 

The new agreement continues the successful partnership announced by the companies in December 2020. The aim of the cooperation has been to develop new types of coating and surface treatment methods for paper and board products, such as disposable coffee mugs. Products based on new technology are biodegradable, ie they degrade in soil and water both at home and in industrial use. The companies have developed a coating material from Danimer’s PHA biopolymer, which is produced from vegetable oils using modern biotechnology and is a viable biodegradable alternative to traditional plastics.

 

“The new exclusivity agreement is an important part of our strategy for bio-based products. According to our strategy, we provide our customers with high-quality and sustainable packaging solutions in accordance with the principles of the circular economy. We look forward to expanding our partnership with Danimer to harness the full potential of PHA worldwide. Together we will launch new bio-based and circular economy products. This is an important milestone as we move towards our bio-based growth goals and stand out from our competitors,” says Antti Matula, Kemira's Vice President, Global Product Lines and Business Development .

 

The new PHA-based and aqueous dispersion coatings retain heat and prevent oil, water and grease from leaking through the material very well. They are also biodegradable and pulpeable, allowing the material to be separated during recycling for fiber recovery. This feature improves material responsibility, allowing brands to promote a circular economy and reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste. PHA coatings can replace polyethylene and provide a viable alternative to perfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS), the use of which in food packaging is being reduced worldwide due to their potential health risks.

 

“Expanding our partnership with Kemira takes Danimer several steps closer to its goal of reducing plastic waste. First, this successful project demonstrates PHA’s potential to be a responsible alternative to traditional plastics in many different industries. Second, the new licensing and supply agreement will create a new revenue stream that will further support the global commercialization of this material. We are grateful for the continuation of Kemira's partnership and look forward to bringing these coatings to new markets,” said Stephen E. Croskrey, Chairman and CEO of Danimer Scientific .