Barrier Coatings

Innovative chemistries, advanced monitoring and control systems, and expert support for your barrier coating challenges.

Balancing Performance and Sustainability with Barrier Coatings

Barrier coatings are essential in reducing plastic pollution by enabling fiber-based alternatives to fulfill critical functions traditionally managed by plastics. These coatings provide paper with essential barrier properties—such as oil and grease resistance—while maintaining the highest standards of product performance and environmental sustainability. 

By bridging environmental goals with performance demands, barrier coatings are vital for industries transitioning to paper-based solutions. 

Achieve a Better State of Balance with Solenis Barrier Coatings 

The TopScreenTM portfolio of barrier coatings perfectly balances performance, safety, and sustainability at every stage. 

  • Deliver barrier properties that resist water, moisture, oil, grease, and oxygen.
  • Replace materials of concern, such as polyethylene (PE), paraffin wax, silicones, and intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
  • Enhance downstream sustainability—products coated with our solutions can be recyclable, biodegradable, repulpable, compostable, high in renewable content, or made with polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and biowax materials.
  • Ensure compliance with stringent food safety and industry standards. 

Excellence in Packaging Evolves through Exceptional Partnerships 

Chemistry is critical in replacing single-use plastics, but collaboration across the supply chain is equally important. From paper producers and packaging converters to brand owners, retailers, and end users, successful transitions to paper-based solutions require a collective effort. 

At Solenis, we partner closely with stakeholders across the value chain to co-develop solutions that solve real-world challenges. Combining our expertise in barrier chemistry with a collaborative approach, we empower customers to differentiate their products and lead in sustainable innovation. Together, we can drive meaningful change across the industry.

Barrier Coatings

Our formulations include water-based polymer emulsions and solid biowax, customizable to meet specific technical needs like printability, flexibility, and glueability. 

  • Water-repellent barrier coatings 
  • Barrier coatings with low moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) 
  • Oil- and grease-resistant barrier coatings 
  • Biowax and PHA-based barrier coatings 
  • Heat-seal and anti-slip coatings 

Ideal end-use applications: Paper, paperboard, and flexible packaging applications, including paper cups, fast-food wrappers, retail trays, and carton board 

Most of Solenis’ barrier coatings can be applied using typical paper machine coaters, off-machine coaters, and printing presses. Coating formulations can be modified as required for use on a wide variety of coating applicators, including: 

  • Puddle size presses 
  • Metered size presses 
  • Air knife coaters 
  • Curtain coaters 
  • Rod coaters 
  • Blade coaters (bent blade) 
  • Flexographic, gravure, and digital printers 

Solenis barrier coatings can be applied during converting using existing wax and flexographic machines 

Visit our Packaging Center of Excellence.

Solving your functional chemistries and sustainable barrier coatings challenges with proven expertise and comprehensive testing.

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