Northwestern University researchers have unveiled a new material that may replace harmful plastics and toxic substances in food packaging. This material, derived from graphene oxide, is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and affordable. It enhances the strength and barrier properties of paper-based food and beverage packaging. The material can be composted or recycled after use.
GO-Eco, a subsidiary of Chang Robotics and a startup at Northwestern's Querrey InQbation Lab, is commercializing this patent-pending product. Independent evaluations have shown that it significantly improves strength and barrier properties compared to current solutions.
"This is not just a materials innovation; it's a market-ready solution," said Timothy Wei, co-developer of the product. "We are thrilled to be taking GO-Eco from the lab to the factory floor, with applications that could ultimately transform the entire food packaging industry."
Wei is an adjunct professor at Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering and chief scientist at Chang Robotics. He co-developed the product with SonBinh Nguyen, a professor of chemistry at Northwestern.
The urgency for new solutions stems from the U.S. producing approximately 14 million metric tons of paper-based food packaging annually. These products often use plastic or PFAS for resistance despite regulatory pressures against them due to environmental risks.
Decades of research led to this potential solution from Nguyen’s and Wei’s labs. They developed a process using graphene oxide to enhance paper and cardboard products' barrier properties.
Testing on various prototypes showed the material made products resistant to water, oil, and grease while increasing paper strength. Recent funding has advanced testing from laboratory stages to comprehensive evaluations at Western Michigan University’s Paper Pilot Plant.
With an exclusive licensing agreement with Northwestern, GO-Eco plans further steps including scaling production and pursuing FDA approvals for food-contact safety.
Editor’s note: Intellectual property associated with this technology is subject to an exclusive license between Northwestern and Chang Robotics. Nguyen and Northwestern University hold financial interests in Chang Robotics.