With the Aquaveg project, the company aims to explore the potential of plant-based waxes to replace traditional materials such as PFAS, paraffin wax, and silicones in applications like food packaging, wood panels, and gypsum boards.
A Step Toward Fossil-Free Functional Materials
The project's key objective is to evaluate whether new plant-based waxes can be transformed into effective emulsions that meet both technical and environmental requirements. Emulco has already developed a product line based on vegetable waxes, but this initiative takes that innovation further by investigating a broader range of biobased raw materials.
Three Promising Application Areas
The potential impact of this project covers several industries that are actively seeking more sustainable material options:
1. Food Packaging
The project explores wax emulsions that could serve as (micro) plastics free or PFAS-free coatings—an urgent need given increasing regulation and consumer concern over the persistence and toxicity of (micro) plastics and fluorinated chemicals present in these products to comply with EU (micro) plastics limitations
2. Wood Panels
In engineered wood products, plant-based waxes could offer a renewable alternative to paraffin wax, reducing carbon footprints while maintaining moisture resistance and structural performance. In combination with a bio-binder system, zero emission panels are achievable, reducing formaldehyde and other toxic emissions.
3. Gypsum Boards
Gypsum board manufacturing currently relies heavily on silicone and paraffin-based materials. Emulco's emulsions aim to replace these with safer, biodegradable options.
From Lab to Industry: A Scalable Approach
The project is structured in three progressive phases:
- Phase 1: Formulating Bio-Based Emulsions
Initial efforts focus on developing emulsions using bio-esters and triglycerides. These naturally derived compounds offer promising chemical properties for replacing traditional waxes.
- Phase 2: Application Testing
To ensure real-world relevance, the emulsions are tested in end-use applications—both in-house and through external partnerships. Performance criteria include water resistance, adhesion, durability, and safety.
- Phase 3: Scaling Up Production
Following successful lab-scale results, the most promising emulsions will be scaled up to pilot or even industrial-scale production, bringing them closer to commercial viability.
Progress to Date
So far, the project has focused primarily on:
- formulation and optimisation of new emulsions
- external validation testing in key application areas
These early activities have already demonstrated encouraging performance metrics, paving the way for the next stages of development.
Contributing to a Circular, Low-Impact Future
By replacing fossil-derived additives with plant-based alternatives, Emulco is advancing circular economy principles in materials science. This project not only supports safer product design but also aligns with growing market and regulatory demands for biodegradable, non-toxic, and low-impact solutions.
Through targeted R&D and close collaboration with application experts, Emulco is proving that it’s possible to innovate sustainably, without compromising quality or performance.
The FPS Economy is not responsible for the statements relating to the project results. The implementation of the projects remains the responsibility of the winners.
