Press Release

Ingredion Launches Sustainable Barrier Starch for High-Performing Oil and Grease Resistance in Food Service Packaging

High-Performing Barrier Starch Helps Manufacturers Replace Fluorochemicals With a Sustainable Alternative

WESTCHESTER, Illinois, USA (November 1, 2021)Ingredion Incorporated, a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to diversified industries, today announced a new fluorochemical-free addition to its expansive offering of barrier starches for the U.S. and Canada, FILMKOTE® 2030 barrier starch. The new starch helps paper and packaging producers meet increasing demand for high-performing, sustainable Oil and Grease Resistant (OGR) packaging.

Sustainably sourced from corn, FILMKOTE 2030 barrier starch allows manufacturers to replace fluorochemicals — synthetic substances that are widely used in fast food packaging for oil and grease resistance — with a plant-based alternative. Fluorochemicals, or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), persist in the environment according to the Environmental Protection Agency. This factor and other concerns have prompted many states and brand owners to abandon the use of PFAS and find effective, sustainable alternatives for OGR packaging.

FILMKOTE 2030 barrier starch is an ideal replacement option for food contact packaging that requires effective oil and grease resistance from sustainable materials. The new plant-based starch provides paper and packaging producers with an environmentally friendly alternative to fluorochemicals, helping producers advance their corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals. FILMKOTE 2030 barrier starch can be used in a broad range of Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) packaging applications, including wraps (e.g., burgers, sandwiches and tacos), bags (e.g., popcorn, French fries and donuts), and boxes.

The FILMKOTE 2030 barrier starch launch represents another step in Ingredion’s commitment to making life better through sustainable innovation,” said Chris Plant, Ingredion’s senior director of industrial solutions in the U.S. and Canada. “The new barrier starch can help paper and packaging producers meet their sustainability targets and in turn enable QSRs to serve their products on plant-based and better-for-the planet packaging.”  

Unlike conventional starches, Ingredion’s FILMKOTE 2030 barrier starch exhibits a unique shear-thinning rheology character. This attribute results in application benefits for the papermaker, including better runnability at the application point (reduced high shear viscosity), improved film formation, and enhanced barrier properties (for oil and grease resistance and silicone release).

FILMKOTE 2030 barrier starch is compatible with common surface treatment additives, including: Latex, SMA (styrene maleic anhydride), SAE (styrene acrylate emulsion), and AKD (alkyl ketone dimer), surface sizing agents, optical brighteners, salt, most non-ionic starches, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), sodium alginate, (PVOH) polyvinyl alcohol and AZC or KZC zirconium-based crosslinking additives.

FILMKOTE 2030 barrier starch enables paper producers to match the performance of fluorochemicals in OGR packaging without the negative health and environmental impacts,” said Scott Hyland, Ingredion’s project leader of coating applications in the customer solutions, product innovation group.  “By replacing fluorochemicals with our new barrier starch, manufacturers will now be able to offer packaging with the desired level of oil and grease resistance, more sustainably.”  

The compostable and biodegradable status of this plant-based starch is pending results of sample analysis and certification by a third-party. To learn more about Ingredion’s barrier starch portfolio, including FILMKOTE 2030 barrier starch, contact Ingredion at +1-800-713- 0208 or na.marketing@ingredion.com, visit www.ingredion.com, or register for Ingredion’s upcoming presentation at Specialty Paper U.S.,Sustainable, Earth-Friendly Barrier Starches for Oil and Grease Resistance,” on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, from 2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. CDT. 

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ABOUT INGREDION

Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR) headquartered in the suburbs of Chicago, is a leading global ingredient solutions provider serving customers in more than 120 countries. With 2020 annual net sales of $6 billion, the Company turns grains, fruits, vegetables and other plant-based materials into value-added ingredient solutions for the food, beverage, animal nutrition, brewing and industrial markets. With Ingredion’s Idea Labs® innovation centers around the world and approximately 12,000 employees, the Company co-creates with customers and fulfills its purpose of bringing the potential of people, nature and technology together to make life better. Visit ingredion.com for more information and the latest Company news. 

Trade media inquiries

Janelle Litel

Content & Communications Manager, US/Canada

+1-520-904-3666 mobile

janelle.litel@ingredion.com