In her research, Sterre Bakker from Eindhoven University of Technology, is investigating a waterborne barrier coating. The challenge of such coatings is to make the transition from a water-based coating to a water-repelling coating. This means that material that initially likes water needs to be changed into a coating that hates water. This challenge is solved by using a special resin in the coating formulation that undergoes a structural change during film formation and drying. So, the coating is fabricated in water and when it is applied on paperboard water evaporates and forms a water-insoluble coating. The main focus of this research is to investigate the relation between coating structure and barrier performance. For example, research the coating application conditions, like drying temperature or time and coating thickness and relate this to the effect is on the barrier performance. This research will help in gaining a better understanding of the mechanism behind the barrier properties, which in turn will lead to improved waterborne barrier coating for paperboard food packaging.
