In a study exploring sustainable packaging solutions, researchers investigated shellac—a biodegradable polyacid resin—as a coating for bagasse paperboard (BP). A two-layer, 40 % shellac coating resulted in the greatest improvement in barrier properties. This configuration reduced oxygen permeability by 99.5 %, water vapour permeability by 82.2 %, and water absorbency by 97.5 %. Reading tip: Functional CoatingsThe “EC Tech Report Functional Coatings” gives you an up-to-date bundle on automotive coatings with articles, videos and other handpicked content. These findings demonstrate the potential of shellac for eco-friendly, high-performance food packaging applications.