Northwestern University Creates Eco-Friendly PFAS Alternative for Food Packaging

Northwestern University Develops a PFAS Substitute for Food Packaging

May 29, 2025

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new oil- and water-resistant material as a substitute for replacing harmful plastics and toxic polyfluoroalkyl substances used in food packaging. These materials are primarily derived from graphene oxide, which is considered environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and affordable for use in packaging. The packaging provides exceptional barrier properties and advanced overall strength after being applied to beverage and paper packaging.

GO-Eco, which is a subsidiary of Chang Robotics and Northwestern’s startup Querray InQbation Lab, is expected to commercialize the patent-pending product, which can be further readily composed and recycled.  The industry evaluation from third-party standards has also proven that these packaging solutions improve the strength and barrier properties compared to the commercially existing food and beverage solutions.

Timothy Wei, adjunct professor of mechanical engineering at the university and chief scientist of Chang Robotics, a collaboration with SonBinh Nguyen, chemistry professor and graphene oxide expert, to co-develop a PFAS substitute for food packaging. The collaboration led to an outcome where they managed to create a proprietary process that leverages unique characteristics of single-atom-thick carbon sheets, oxide-oxidized to improve the properties of cardboard and paper-based products.

The team precisely tested the material on various food and beverage packaging types like plastic produce bags, cardboard boxes, and disposable tableware like plates, straws, and cups. The research was funded by the Q, which was also supported by the internships.

The product testing has been pushed by CO-Eco to an industry-standard evaluation at Western Michigan University's Paper Pilot Plant. The tests were also effectively proven by the authority that graphene oxide increases the paper strength by 30-50%. These findings are also applicable to various products like tableware and corrugated cardboard packaging.