Eco-Products, PBC recently secured a major technological breakthrough with the issuance of U.S. Patent No. US12774561B2. This patent, titled ‘Composition for providing grease and water resistant properties without use of a fluorinated compound, method of making the composition, and pulp molded article made by the method thereof’, introduces a powerful way to produce sustainable food packaging. Manufacturers can now create biodegradable containers that resist grease and water without relying on environmentally harmful fluorinated chemicals.
COLORADO PATENT OF THE MONTH – NOVEMBER 2026
The innovation focuses on a novel additive composition for use in the wet end of a paper pulping process. This system uses a unique emulsification of a food-safe coating formulation, a petroleum wax based aqueous emulsion, and an alkyl ketene dimer to provide functional resistance in pulp molded articles. By eliminating fluorinated compounds, the composition prevents potentially harmful chemicals from accumulating in industrial compost systems and the broader environment. The invention is highly innovative and won the Colorado Patent of the Month for November 2026 granted by Swanson Reed because it successfully resolves a major ecological challenge in the foodservice packaging industry without compromising product performance. Designed by inventors Mark Lewis and Steve Rosse, the technology ensures that eco-friendly plates, bowls, and containers can safely hold food while meeting stringent compostability standards.
Practical Applications and R&D Tax Credit Eligibility
The practical applications of this technology span across the sustainable packaging, foodservice, and materials manufacturing industries, where producing compostable and reliable food containers is a growing priority. When businesses in the USA adopt or adapt this non-fluorinated composition to develop new pulp molded products or improve their wet-end paper manufacturing processes, the associated engineering efforts often involve a distinct process of experimentation. This systematic testing to evaluate the emulsion stability, grease resistance, water repellency, and overall material performance qualifies as permitted research activities under IRS guidelines. Consequently, companies investing time and resources into integrating this advanced green chemistry into their production lines can capture significant Research and Development (R&D) tax credits, effectively reducing their financial burden while funding future environmentally friendly innovations.
