Xampla has joined with DIC Group to roll out PFAS-free Morro Coatings (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances Morro Coatings) in Japan and other Asian markets, marking the arrival of what the companies describe as the first plant-based natural polymers in the region’s packaging sector. The introduction is intended to give manufacturers PFAS and plastic-free coating choices for foodservice formats and offer an alternative to the barrier systems currently used across a range of packaging applications. The collaboration marks the first commercial rollout of Morro materials in Asia.
Morro Coatings originate from more than 15 years of research at the University of Cambridge and form part of Xampla’s patented technology portfolio. The materials are made entirely from plants and are home compostable, biodegradable in all environments, and suitable for recycling. The coatings offer grease and water resistance and can be heat-sealed for uses such as sachets while handling the higher temperatures common in commercial kitchens. With a plastic-free formulation, PFAS-free Morro Coatings give packaging suppliers an option that aligns with shifting market expectations and emerging policy requirements across the region.
Xampla also noted that interest in biomaterials has been rising as governments introduce targets tied to circular-economy goals. In Japan, the Plastic Resource Circulation Act includes goals to reduce single-use plastic products by 25% by 2030 and to increase the volume of biomaterials in the national supply chain to two million tonnes by the same year. “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,” said Alexandra French, CEO at Xampla. “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.”
DIC Group highlighted the alignment between the coatings and its circular-economy initiatives. “Japan is becoming a leader in combating PFAS and plastic pollution and DIC is always looking to innovate new solutions to solve this problem.” said Takeo Ikeda, manager of the CVC group at DIC Corporation. “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.” Their partnership signals a wider opportunity for PFAS-free Morro Coatings as packaging suppliers look toward plastic-free and PFAS-free materials that meet shifting regional expectations.