Ask the Scientists

Join The Discussion

What is the context of this research?

While a researcher at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) I co-discovered how to make lignin into a water proof coating, LBC - and in efforts to continue working on this existence friendly coating - I have chosen to try and self fund and support.



For this investigation, I would like to explore chemical resistant properties of LBC when exposed to ethanol. This will determine whether it can used to package other materials, such as alcoholic beverages.



I have already established that LBC repels water, and this test is the first step in exploring what else it can repel.

What is the significance of this project?

LBC is a fully sustainable, renewable, recyclable, repulpable, compostibable, biodegradable, bio-based, non-toxic and non- hazardous water resistant coating that can be used as an alternative to petroleum wax and polyethylene as used in cardboard vegetable boxes.

It is unknown if a chemical resistance to ethanol exists, i.e. if the impressive water resistant properties are retained, and discovering this will expand the potential applications to this environmental technology.

What are the goals of the project?

First goal is to coat linerboard, as used in creation of corrugated boxes, with LBCv3.0 from a previous at scale (tonnes) production trial. This is achieved by way of automated rod coating, that is then activated (made water resistant) and trimmed to generate lab based samples for exposure to various concentrations of ethanol.

The ethanol exposure will occur during typical Liquid Water Barrier testing (Cobb 30 minutes), with normal water swapped for the ethanol loading. This data will then be used to evaluate against both uncoated and typical water controls to determine if any potential exists for holding alcoholic beverages in a LBC coated construct. A good outcome is a response of less than 40 g/m2 over 30 minutes.