Replacing plastic in food packaging is a lot more complicated than simply switching it out for recyclable or compostable bio-based materials. For sustainable alternative are to supplant plastics at scale, they first have to match plastic’s exceptional barrier performance, survive long supply chains, and integrate seamlessly into existing manufacturing equipment and packaging processes.
Backed by funding from CFIN’s Innovation Booster program, Waterloo-based Nfinite Nanotech is tackling this monumental problem by developing a nano-barrier coating that keeps the performance, but ditches the plastic—opening the door for paper, bio-plastics, and other sustainable packaging substrates to compete on equal terms.
Performance Without Planetary Compromise
Nfinite’s technology uses spatial atomic layer deposition (SALD) to apply a uniform, pinhole-free coating that’s only nanometres thick. The process runs in open air and at industrial speeds, so packaging manufacturers can integrate it into existing production lines without retooling or slowdowns. The resulting packaging products feature a high-barrier layer that protects sensitive foods from moisture and oxygen while preserving the recyclability or compostability of the base material.
Across Canada, single-use plastic bans and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules are accelerating the shift toward lower-impact packaging. For many products, especially perishable foods, that shift depends on packaging that can keep moisture and oxygen out long enough to maintain quality and safety. Nfinite’s nano-barrier coatings bring that level of protection to paper, fibre, and other renewable substrates, extending their utility into categories where plastic continues to dominate. The result is a broader range of sustainable options that meet both regulatory requirements and the practical demands of manufacturing, distribution, and retail.
Assisted by a $48,360 Innovation Booster grant from CFIN in December 2024, Nfinite is tailoring its barrier chemistry for paper-based food packaging. The company plans to scale production in high-priority categories where replacing plastic has been hardest, such as produce, baked goods, and frozen foods. If the results hold up, Nfinite’s coating could give food producers a viable way to cut plastic weight, reduce EPR costs, and meet sustainability targets—all without compromising the protection that keeps food fresh.