Demeter Bio has introduced Fibrepel, a bio-based coating designed to replace PFAS-based treatments in textiles, packaging and other performance materials.
The company says the technology uses biomaterials to provide water, oil and alcohol resistance without relying on fluorinated chemicals.
The PFAS-free coating has been developed for applications including clothing, upholstery, hygiene products and packaging. Demeter Bio says Fibrepel is designed to reproduce the repellency typically associated with PFAS, while also offering inherent antimicrobial properties.
The development comes as restrictions on PFAS increase across Europe and manufacturers face growing pressure to find alternatives that can deliver comparable performance.
Demeter Bio recently won the Environment category of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Emerging Technologies Competition for Fibrepel, which was recognised as a safer and more environmentally responsible alternative to PFAS-based coatings.
Why we must replace PFAS
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of synthetic chemicals valued for their resistance to water, grease, oil and heat. These properties have made them useful in products ranging from food packaging and textiles to specialised industrial materials.
Their persistence is a major concern. Often referred to as “forever chemicals”, many PFAS do not readily break down in the environment and can accumulate through environmental pathways. Exposure to certain PFAS has also been associated with adverse health effects, contributing to increasing scrutiny from regulators and industry.
For manufacturers, replacing PFAS is therefore not simply about removing fluorine from a product. Alternatives must also maintain the performance characteristics that made the chemicals attractive in the first place.
Developing a PFAS-free alternative
Demeter Bio says this performance challenge influenced the development of Fibrepel.
The company observed that some PFAS-free alternatives relied on microplastics, which can create their own concerns around contamination and health, while also failing to provide the same level of oil and alcohol resistance.
Fibrepel is intended to address these limitations through a bio-based formulation. According to Demeter Bio, the coating is derived from renewable biological sources and has been engineered to provide durable water, oil and alcohol repellency under demanding textile and packaging conditions.
The company also says the material is non-toxic, fluorine-free and environmentally persistent, while its antimicrobial activity could provide additional benefits for hygiene, material longevity and resilience.
Beyond conventional packaging coatings
The technology could also offer an alternative to some conventional packaging approaches.
Demeter Bio is targeting the replacement of polyethylene lamination in paper cups, alongside fluorochemical treatments traditionally used to provide water and grease resistance.
As regulation continues to reshape the use of PFAS, technologies that can combine high performance with reduced environmental impact could become increasingly important.
Fibrepel represents Demeter Bio’s attempt to provide that combination without replacing one environmental concern with another.
