# Plant-Inspired Coatings Offer Sustainable Alternative to PFAS Chemicals Researchers develop a biodegradable, bio-based waterproof coating mimicking plant suberin to replace toxic forever chemicals. - **Source:** [New Scientist](https://www.newscientist.com/) - **Published:** 2026-10-29 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d28d4ea5-a1b4-4930-ac6b-16ffb894db6e ## The PFAS Challenge Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, known as PFAS, provide essential heat resistance and water repellency for consumer goods. However, their extreme environmental persistence and negative human health impacts have triggered tightening global regulations. Scientists are now urgently seeking greener alternatives to replace these durable but toxic forever chemicals in various industrial applications. ## Nature as Blueprint Chemical engineer Joshua Yuan at Washington University in St Louis identified suberin as a natural solution. Suberin is a mixture of long-chain fatty acids that plants use to transport water internally. By combining this structure with lignin, plants create a super-waterproof surface lining their internal plumbing, providing a blueprint for synthetic material development. ## Innovative Material Synthesis The research team successfully recreated this waterproof coating by utilizing paper industry waste and animal fat. When spray-coated onto glass, metal, or cotton, the particles self-assemble into a continuous layer. This process demonstrates a circular economy approach by transforming discarded waste streams into high-value, functional materials for diverse industrial and consumer surfaces. ## Mechanism of Repellency Unlike PFAS coatings that rely on carbon-fluorine bonds to repel water, this new material uses nanostructuring. Organic chemist Han Zuilhof notes that the surface creates tiny air pockets, minimizing contact between water droplets and the material. This mechanism mimics the lotus effect, achieving water resistance comparable to state-of-the-art PTFE-based chemical coatings. ## Performance and Durability The bio-based coating demonstrated significant resistance to both mechanical wear and limescale contamination during testing. While it matches the water resistance levels of traditional PTFE, it currently possesses lower heat tolerance. This limitation means the material is not yet suitable for high-heat applications like bakeware, though it remains viable for other sectors. ## Targeting Textile Markets Materials scientist Carlo Antonini highlights that the textile industry will be among the first sectors impacted by upcoming PFAS restrictions. Consequently, this plant-inspired coating presents a timely alternative for clothing manufacturers. The ability to apply this slurry to cotton surfaces makes it a strong candidate for immediate integration into existing textile supply chains. ## Biodegradability and Safety A critical advantage of this innovation is its fully bio-based composition. Suberin degrades easily under composting conditions, and the team confirmed their synthetic version breaks down completely without releasing harmful residues. This characteristic addresses the primary environmental concern associated with traditional PFAS, which remain in ecosystems for decades after their initial use. ## Future Scaling Potential The team is currently exploring applications in food packaging, specifically for the internal linings of drinks cans. Beyond immediate use cases, the success of this project serves as a broader inspiration for developing bio-based materials from various waste streams. This shift marks a significant step toward eliminating persistent toxins from global manufacturing processes. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.newscientist.com/article/2596564-plant-biology-provides-inspiration-for-pfas-replacement/?utm_campaign=RSS|NSNS&utm_content=home&utm_medium=RSS&utm_source=NSNS — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._