DIC Group announced a collaboration with UK materials innovator Xampla to bring Xampla’s plant-based, PFAS-free Morro Coatings to Japan and other Asian markets. The introduction marks the first use of a natural plant polymer coating within the region’s packaging supply chain.

According to the companies, the coating technology is designed as a drop-in option for existing foodservice packaging formats, providing grease and water resistance without plastic or PFAS content. The material is based on more than 15 years of research at the University of Cambridge and is intended to meet performance needs in commercial kitchen environments.

The partnership aligns with ongoing regulatory efforts in Japan to reduce single-use plastics and increase the use of biomaterials in packaging applications. Government targets include reducing single-use plastic products and expanding the volume of biomaterials in the supply chain.

Alexandra French, CEO at Xampla, said: “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 production in Asia and support the foodservice sector to quickly adopt PFAS-free and plastic-free packaging.”

Takeo Ikeda, manager of CVC group at DIC Corporation, said: “Japan is becoming a leader in combatting PFAS and plastic pollution and DIC is always looking to innovate new solutions to solve this problem. Our ‘5R’ approach - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Redesign, Renew – is realising a circular economy by incorporating environmentally friendly materials into our packaging solutions, with Xampla’s Morro Coatings a perfect fit for us.”

Additional background on Morro materials and information about DIC’s sustainability initiatives is available on the companies’ websites.