Graphene’s Big Test: Can It Replace PFAS in Food Wraps?

Chang Robotics and Northwestern test graphene oxide as a safer PFAS substitute for food packaging

17 Oct 2025

Graphene, once hailed as a wonder material for electronics, is finding a new niche in the grease-stained world of food packaging. Chang Robotics, in partnership with Northwestern University, has developed GO-Eco, a graphene oxide-based coating meant to replace the “forever chemicals” that keep fast-food wrappers from leaking.

The compound forms a thin, transparent barrier on paper and fibre materials, blocking oil and moisture without plastics or fluorinated chemicals. In pilot-scale tests at Western Michigan University, GO-Eco performed as well as some PFAS-based coatings while strengthening the paper and improving recyclability. Yet the work is still experimental: the coating lacks regulatory approval and remains far from mass production.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have become a regulatory target in America. The Food and Drug Administration has backed voluntary phase-outs by some producers, while states such as California and Washington have imposed their own bans. That leaves packaging makers searching for affordable, functional replacements that can satisfy both consumers and regulators.

“Graphene oxide offers a compelling new tool for sustainable packaging research,” said Dr Megan Collins, a materials scientist at Northwestern. “Our early data show promise, but further validation and regulatory review are essential before any market rollout.”

Industry interest is growing. Suppliers are exploring partnerships to test production at scale. According to Mark Reynolds of the Sustainable Materials Forum, “The opportunity is real, but still in its early stages. If graphene proves scalable and compliant, it could reshape packaging design over the next few years.”

For now, the coating’s future will depend on economics, safety data and the patience of regulators. Still, GO-Eco illustrates a broader shift in packaging from reliance on synthetic chemistry to smarter, cleaner materials. Should graphene coatings live up to their promise, the takeaway box may one day be as innovative as the meal inside.