Ecology Coatings declared that its nanotechnology-based generally considered as safe (GRAS) coatings have been nominated for the Michigan Green Chemistry Governor’s Award. Winners will be announced on October 27 2011.
Michigan Green Chemistry Roundtable launched the Award Program to encourage advancements in green chemistry. Green chemistry is a product or procedure that decreases or avoids the generation or utilization of adverse materials from chemical processes or products.
Ecology Coatings’ GRAS coatings can be used for packaging foods, as they are free from plastics or fossil fuel-based chemicals and utilize natural ingredients. They protect food from external elements and are harmless for human consumption.
As they are cured at an ultra-fast rate, the GRAS coatings act as a superior barrier to grease, water, solvents and air. They can be used as wrappings for snack foods, meat, coatings for food packaging and pet food packaging. As they are grease-resistant, the food package looks fresh. Photoinitiators in UV curable coatings and inks are considered as adulterants in food. The replacement of a GRAS photoinitiator will eliminate this issue.
Ecology Coatings submitted a WCT patent application for its innovative GRAS coatings technology. In May 2011, the US Patent Office confirmed the novelty of the technology and approved that Ecology Coatings’ claims have industrial utility. The company has also applied for accelerated patent approval, which is anticipated in 2012.
Source: http://www.ecologycoatings.com