Finnish Research Project Advances 100% Cellulose-Based Film and Coating Technology for Packaging Applications

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and LUT University have announced the successful completion of the F3 (Films for Future) project, a bio-based materials initiative that has demonstrated the pilot-scale production of fully cellulose-based films and coatings as alternatives to fossil-based packaging materials.

Completed in March 2026, the project focused on developing renewable, recyclable and biodegradable packaging materials capable of meeting industrial performance and processing requirements. The technology is designed to help reduce reliance on plastic films, one of the most widely used but difficult-to-recycle packaging formats.

The project builds on advances in cellulose dissolution and regeneration technology, enabling the production of transparent cellulose films with high mechanical strength and barrier properties. Researchers also demonstrated compatibility with conventional package-converting processes, including thermoforming, allowing integration into existing manufacturing infrastructure.

According to the project partners, the cellulose-based materials can be used both as standalone packaging films and as barrier coatings for paper and board packaging. The coatings provide oxygen and grease barrier properties while supporting recyclability in fibre-based packaging systems and offering biodegradability where required.

The initiative involved collaboration between research organizations and industry partners across the packaging value chain, including Colombier Finland, Kemira and Metsä Board. The work was aimed at moving the technology from laboratory development toward scalable industrial manufacturing.

Researchers said the next phase will focus on commercial scale-up, with initial applications expected in dry food packaging, bakery products and fibre-based packaging requiring transparent barrier layers. Future development efforts will target improved barrier performance under humid conditions and the incorporation of additional functionalities such as active and intelligent packaging features.

The F3 project is part of Finland’s broader effort to develop sustainable packaging solutions from forest-based raw materials and support the transition away from fossil-based plastics.