Xampla and DIC bring PFAS-free Morro coating to Asia

The partnership aims to help Japanese packaging manufacturers replace existing plastic and PFAS coatings across a range of food service packaging formats

Xampla is collaborating with global chemicals manufacturer DIC Group to introduce its PFAS-free and plastic-free Morro Coating to Japan and wider Asia. This marks the first time Morro Coating will be available to the Asian packaging sector, supporting regional efforts to transition away from plastic and PFAS-based materials.

The partnership aims to help Japanese packaging manufacturers replace existing plastic and PFAS coatings across a range of food service packaging formats for both domestic and international markets. By leveraging DIC Group’s global leadership and operational excellence, Morro Coating will be scaled across Asia to accelerate the adoption of safer and more sustainable packaging solutions.

“It’s a privilege to be working with DIC to tackle the problem of PFAS and single-use plastic pollution by introducing our PFAS and plastic-free Morro Coatings into Japan. As a global leader in the chemicals industry, their exceptional operational standards will help scale Morro in Asia and support the foodservice sector to quickly adopt PFAS-free and plastic-free packaging,” said Alexandra French, CEO of Xampla.

Demand for biomaterials continues to rise worldwide, and Japan is emerging as a leader in the shift toward circularity. Under the Plastic Resource Circulation Act, the Japanese government has set ambitious targets, including reducing single-use plastic consumption by 25 per cent by 2030 and increasing the use of biomaterials in the supply chain to 2 million tonnes by the same year. As a nation deeply connected to its marine environment, Japan faces significant challenges from plastic pollution, making sustainable packaging innovations increasingly vital.

By introducing Morro Coating to Japan, DIC will enable domestic manufacturers to replace plastic coatings used in foodservice packaging with a high-performance, bio-based alternative. Designed as a drop-in solution, Morro Coating integrates seamlessly into existing supply chains, offering proven compatibility with standard coating methods and suitability for a wide range of substrates and packaging formats.

“Japan is becoming a leader in combatting PFAS and plastic pollution, and DIC is always looking to innovate solutions that address this urgent issue. Our ‘5R’ approach—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Redesign, Renew—is advancing the circular economy by incorporating environmentally friendly materials into our packaging solutions. Xampla’s Morro Coatings are a perfect fit. We believe their high-performance properties can help our customers bring PFAS and plastic-free materials to domestic and global foodservice markets, strengthening their position in a plastic-free future. We are excited to work with Xampla to explore what can be achieved,” a spokesperson from DIC Group said.

This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to sustainability and positions Morro Coating as a key material in Asia’s transition toward safer, circular packaging systems.