Advanced Eco‑Friendly and Recyclable Paper Coatings
IGI’s Enviro-Coatings are water-based emulsion coatings engineered for high barrier performance across paper and corrugated substrates. Formulated for use on kraft paper, paperboard, cup stock, corrugated liners, and board liners, these coatings enhance slip resistance and abrasion protection while meeting FBA Voluntary Standards for repulpability and recyclability, making them a viable alternative to traditional PE coatings across the paper packaging supply chain.
We serve corrugated, food, and industrial packaging markets with five core formulations: Aquaban®, Barrier-Grip®, Vapor-Guard®, NoRub®, and Bake Guard®. Each water-based paper coating can be customized to your specific barrier performance requirements while supporting recyclability and circularity goals.
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Your Trusted Partner in Sustainable Coating Technology
With decades of experience developing and formulating waxes and coatings, IGI Wax brings technical depth and a documented commitment to environmental responsibility to every partnership. Our Toronto facility holds ISO 14001 certification, an internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems that reflects our ongoing commitment to waste reduction, regulatory compliance, and continuous environmental improvement.
Our Enviro-Coatings line is developed in alignment with FBA Voluntary Standards, guidelines established by the Fibre Box Association to ensure that treated corrugated and paper packaging remains repulpable and recyclable within existing fiber recovery systems. Meeting these standards means our coatings support, rather than disrupt, the paper recycling supply chain.
Based in Toronto, Canada, and with a U.S. presence in Richmond, California, we combine reliable supply with responsive technical support to deliver custom, scalable paper coating solutions tailored to your performance and sustainability requirements.
Enviro-Coatings Product Range
The Enviro-Coatings line includes five water-based coating formulations for corrugated board, liners, and paper substrates, each engineered for a specific barrier performance profile. All products are compatible with standard paper and corrugated substrate applications and can be customized to meet your exact barrier, application, and recyclability requirements.
Aquaban®
A water-based emulsion engineered for paper and corrugated board, Aquaban delivers high water repellency and water resistance while maintaining repulpability. It can be applied using a blade or rod coater, preferably at the wet end of the corrugator, and is compatible with most cold-set and hot-melt adhesives and most flexographic inks, making it a straightforward option for operations that require moisture protection without changes to existing finishing or printing workflows.
Barrier-Grip®
A high-performance water-based coating for paper and corrugated substrates requiring combined water and grease resistance. In addition to its barrier properties, Barrier-Grip delivers a high angle of slide and is repulpable. It is compatible with select cold-set and hot-melt adhesives. Barrier-Grip conforms to FDA regulations 21 CFR §176.170 and §176.180, subject to the finished food-contact article meeting the extractive limitations under the intended conditions of use, making it suitable for food packaging applications where grease resistance is a primary requirement.
Vapor-Guard®
A high-performance water-based barrier coating for paper and corrugated substrates where water repellency, water resistance, grease resistance, and a high angle of slide are all required. Vapor-Guard is repulpable and printable with many water-based inks. It is compatible with select hot-melt and water-based cold-set adhesives, though verification of gluability and printability under specific end-use conditions is recommended. Vapor-Guard conforms to FDA regulations 21 CFR §176.170 and §176.180, subject to the finished food-contact article meeting the extractive limitations under the intended conditions of use.
NoRub®
A water-based emulsion developed for application to corrugated board liners to reduce abrasive surface characteristics. NoRub is most effective when applied at 10–15 g/m² (2–3 lbs per MSF) in a continuous film. It is compatible with most cold-set adhesives and flexographic inks, making it suitable for packaging office furniture, filing cabinets, household goods, and specialty metal products where non-scuff performance is required.
Bake Guard®
A high-performance water-based coating for corrugated board and paper substrates requiring exceptional grease and water resistance. In addition to its barrier properties, Bake Guard offers a high angle of slide and good printability. Board coated with Bake Guard is repulpable and compatible with most water-based cold-set adhesives and select hot-melt adhesives. It can also be double-bumped. Bake Guard conforms to FDA regulations 21 CFR §176.170 and §176.180 with no temperature restrictions.
When Water-Based Emulsions Are the Right Choice
Not every packaging application requires the same coating solution. The following scenarios illustrate some of the contexts where water-based emulsions tend to be the stronger fit.
When recyclability is a requirement
Traditional wax and PE coatings require separation from paper fibers during recycling, a process that is technically complex and often results in coated packaging being diverted to landfill. Water-based emulsions disintegrate cleanly during pulping, allowing fiber recovery without contaminating the recycled stream. For converters and brand owners working toward recyclable packaging targets or compliance with FBA Voluntary Standards, water-based coatings are the technically viable path.
When food contact compliance and low VOC emissions are both required
Solvent-based coatings can deliver strong barrier properties but emit high levels of volatile organic compounds during application and drying, creating regulatory exposure and workplace air quality concerns. IGI‘s water-based emulsions are formulated to conform to FDA regulations 21 CFR §176.170 and §176.180 while emitting significantly fewer VOCs, meeting both requirements without requiring separate compliance strategies.
When custom barrier performance is needed at scale
For applications that require a specific combination of properties, such as grease resistance paired with a high angle of slide, or water repellency combined with printability, a custom-formulated water-based emulsion offers more flexibility than extrusion or wax-based alternatives. IGI’s technical team works with clients to develop formulations matched to specific barrier, application method, and substrate requirements, from prototype through full-scale production.
Start Your Sustainable Packaging Journey
To learn more about how IGI’s water-based emulsions can enhance your packaging’s performance and sustainability, to talk to our expert team about a custom formulation, to get help selecting the right IGI product for your needs, or to request a sample, contact us today.
Water-Based Emulsions Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes Enviro-Coatings recyclable and repulpable?
A: Our Enviro‑Coatings are formulated to meet the FBA Voluntary Standards for repulping and recycling treated corrugated fiberboard. Unlike traditional PE linings that clog recycling systems, water-based emulsions disintegrate cleanly during the pulp separation process. Recyclable and repulpable paper coatings support fiber recovery and seamless reintegration into the paper lifecycle.
Q: Are these coatings food-safe?
A: Yes. Our Enviro-Coatings formulations are designed to comply with FDA or equivalent food contact regulations, similar to food-safe coatings from BASF and Stahl. Please get in touch to request specific certificates.
Q: How do Enviro-Coatings compare to traditional PE coatings?
A: Water-based emulsions provide comparable performance in moisture, oil, and vapor resistance to PE coatings, while offering significant advantages in recycling, repulping, and sustainability.
Q: Can IGI tailor formulations to specific performance requirements?
A: Absolutely. We collaborate closely with clients to develop custom formulations based on barrier protection needs, application methods, and recyclability requirements. Our flexible approach ensures we can work with you to deliver the right coating for your application.
Q: Do these emulsions lower VOC emissions?
A: Yes. IGI’s water-based formulations emit significantly fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than solvent-based coatings, promoting safer factory air quality and reducing environmental impact.
Q: Is coated paper recyclable?
A: It depends on the type of coating. Paper treated with traditional wax or PE coatings presents significant challenges for recycling, as these materials are difficult to separate from paper fibers during the pulping process and often result in coated packaging being diverted from recycling streams. Water-based emulsion coatings, by contrast, are formulated to disintegrate cleanly during pulping, allowing the paper fibers to be recovered and reintegrated into the paper lifecycle. IGI’s Enviro-Coatings are specifically formulated to meet FBA Voluntary Standards for repulpability and recyclability, confirming their compatibility with standard fiber recovery processes.
Let’s Build a Sustainable Future Together
Partner with IGI to create packaging that delivers superior performance and supports environmental responsibility with recyclable and repulpable coating. Our experts are ready to help you choose or develop the ideal water-based emulsion coating for your needs.
