Chapter 4: PFAS-free Moisture Barriers in Household Product Packaging

This chapter is a case study that focuses on the identification and evaluation of three methods for achieving a PFAS-free moisture barrier on paper-based packaging for household products. The scope of this project encompasses three different product categories, including laundry powders, detergents, and soaps, with a range of moisture barrier needs. The proposed strategies fall into three categories: biopolymer films derived from natural sources, such as chitosan, pectin, and gelatin; chemical additives to improve barrier and mechanical properties via cross-linking, including genipin and ferulic acid; and physical additives to reinforce film barrier and mechanical properties, including nanofillers like montmorillonite clays and cellulose nanofibers.