Sustainability

Responsibility as a core principle

At Nanopool, sustainability is not a trend - it is a fundamental principle of product development.

Every formulation, process and application is designed with a clear focus on environmental compatibility, 

resource efficiency andcircular economy performance.

The obejctive is to create high-performance functional technologies that combine ecological responsibility with industrial reliability and scalability.

Raw materials and chemical safety

The SiO₂ barrier coating from NP® SiOPack® is based on mineral components derived from natural quartz.
The coating system is solvent-free, fluoropolymer-free and free from microplastics.
After application and drying, the coating forms an inorganic, glass-like structure that chemically bonds with the cellulose surface.

The water-based sol-gel technology enables an environmentally friendly

processing without thermal extrusion or solvent recovery..

 

Ecological properties:

  • Water-based system - no VOC emissions
  • No persistent organic compounds
  • Free from PFAS and halogenated substances
  • Biologically inert - no toxicological risks
  • Safe for humans and the environment
  • Up to 90 % material savings compared to PE/PP barriers
  • Energy-efficient drying below 120 °C
  • Significant CO₂ reduction due to lower energy demand and improved recyclability

Recyclability & circular economy

NP® SiOPack® has been specifically developed for paper cycles.
The barrier coating does not impair the repulpability and meets the requirements
of PTS-RH 021:2012 as well as EN 13432 (compostability).

Proven properties

  • Fully recyclable within standard paper recycling streams
  • Repulpable using conventional industrial processes
  • No residues or discolouration in the fibre material
  • Compatible with existing sorting and recovery infrastructures

The system enables mono-material paper packaging solutions and supports the implementation

of true circular economy models in paper-based packaging.

Comparison: Polymer barrier vs. NP® SiOPack®
Raw material base
✗ Negative PE / PP coating
Fossil-based polymers
✓ Positive NP® SiOPack®
Mineral, SiO2
Processing medium
✗ Negative PE / PP coating
Thermal extrusion
✓ Positive NP® SiOPack®
Water-based sol-gel
Recyclability
✗ Negative PE / PP coating
Limited
✓ Positive NP® SiOPack®
Fully recyclable in paper stream
Compostability
✗ Negative PE / PP coating
No
✓ Positive NP® SiOPack®
Yes
Fluoropolymers
✗ Negative PE / PP coating
Often present
✓ Positive NP® SiOPack®
None
VOC emissions
✗ Negative PE / PP coating
Possible
✓ Positive NP® SiOPack®
None
Layer thickness
✗ Negative PE / PP coating
5-50 µm
✓ Positive NP® SiOPack®
5-100 nm

Responsibility in product development

Nanopool sets great value on sustainable product design not downstream compensation.

All coating systems are assessed for environmental compatibility already at the formulation stage - from raw material selection through to industrial process integration.

Sustainability is not a final product attribute, but an integral part of the entire development process.