CelluForce, the world leader in cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), has announced the launch of CelluShield™, a high-performance, bio-sourced barrier coating designed to help packaging manufacturers meet the growing demand for recyclable flexible packaging without compromising shelf life or product protection.

Made from renewable cellulose and formulated as a water-based coating, CelluShield™ provides exceptional oxygen and moisture barrier properties while supporting circular economy objectives. By enabling mono-material structures that can be collected and recycled through existing streams, CelluShield™ bridges the gap between sustainability and performance.

The development of CelluShield™ was carried out in collaboration with FPInnovations, with funding from Natural Resources Canada’s Transformative Technology Program, and supported by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), underscoring the importance of Canadian innovation in sustainable packaging solutions.

High-Performance Meets Sustainability

• CelluShield™ delivers the critical protection required for food, pharmaceutical, and other sensitive products without the use of harmful chemicals or complex multilayer laminates. Key benefits include:
• High barrier performance: oxygen transmission rate (OTR) below 1 cc/m² per day and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) below 1 g/m² per day at a target coat weight of just 1 gsm.
• Recyclable mono-material design: enables PE, PP, or PET structures to meet extended producer responsibility (EPR) and EU packaging & packaging waste regulation (PPWR) requirements.
• Safe & renewable: bio-based, PFAS-free, VOC-free, chlorine-free, and compliant with FDA and Health Canada regulations.

“Brand owners and converters no longer need to choose between performance and recyclability,” says Sebastien Corbeil, President and CEO of CelluForce. “With CelluShield™, we are giving the packaging industry a practical solution that protects products, reduces carbon footprint, and simplifies recycling, all with a water-based technology that runs on existing equipment.”

Seamless Integration for Converters

CelluShield™ is engineered for easy adoption on existing production lines. It is applied using reverse gravure coating and is compatible with standard lamination technology for PE, PP, and PET films. The product is available as a ready-to-use coating for in-house application, or as a precoated film for simplified supply chain integration.

Empowering the Packaging Value Chain

• For Converters: CelluShield™ offers a turnkey path to recyclable, high-barrier structures without costly retooling.
• For Brand Owners: CelluShield™ supports goals for 100% recyclable packaging and a lower carbon footprint, while protecting product quality and extending shelf life.
• For Consumers: CelluShield™ delivers peace of mind through safer, more sustainable packaging.

Flexible Solutions to Protect What Matters

Whether used for food, pharmaceuticals, or other sensitive products, CelluShield™ provides the protection needed to maintain freshness and product integrity while supporting the transition to a circular economy.