London-based Demeter Bio has developed a non-toxic coating designed to replace PFAS chemicals in textiles and packaging.
The technology, called Fibrepel, aims to replicate the water and stain-repellent properties of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Known as forever chemicals, PFAS compounds are widely used in food packaging but have been linked to health problems and environmental contamination.
Demeter Bio says many existing PFAS alternatives rely on microplastics. While these avoid PFAS, they carry their own health and contamination risks, and often perform worse against oil and alcohol resistance. The company set out to build a coating that avoids both problems.
Fibrepel is designed to work across multiple applications, including clothing, upholstery, hygiene products and packaging. Demeter Bio recently won the Environment category at the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Emerging Technologies Competition for the innovation.
Rayan Osseiran, co-founder and CEO at Demeter Bio, said forever chemicals will not be solved overnight, but described Fibrepel as a step toward a solution. He added that the underlying chemistry can be adjusted for different products, making it a scalable option across industries.
The launch adds to a growing field of PFAS-free packaging innovations. Cortec introduced a recyclable, biodegradable barrier paper last year that avoids both PFAS and added plastics. More recently, Zerocircle unveiled a heat-sealable coating made from natural polymers for paper cups, designed to replace polyethylene linings and fluorochemical treatments.
Together, these developments point to mounting pressure across the packaging and textile industries to phase out PFAS, as regulations tighten and bio-based alternatives mature.
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