Analyzing the barriers of transitioning to PFAS-free alternatives in the food packaging industry

Abstract

Problem
introduction Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been extensively used
in the food packaging industry due to their exceptional water and oil
repellency, providing essential barrier protection for products like pizza
boxes, fast-food containers, and microwave popcorn bags. However, PFAS are
highly persistent in the environment and have been linked to significant health
risks, including bioaccumulation in humans and wildlife. The widespread contamination
and toxicity concerns have prompted regulatory actions, notably the European Union’s
(EU) proposed comprehensive ban on PFAS. Despite this regulatory pressure,
transitioning to PFAS-free alternatives in the food packaging and food contact
materials industry presents complex challenges. Research objective and main
research question The objective of this study is to identify and analyze the
key technical, regulatory, economic, and social barriers hindering the adoption
of PFAS-free alternatives in the food packaging industry. The main research
question guiding this thesis is: What are the key challenges for implementing
PFAS-free alternatives in the food packaging & food contact materials
industry? Methods To address this, the research applies the Technological
Innovation Systems (TIS) framework, which analyzes the dynamics of innovation
processes and the roles of various actors, networks, and institutions. Data
collection involved a comprehensive literature review, analysis of scientific
reports, examination of the annex of the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) PFAS
ban proposal, semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders (including
manufacturers, regulators, NGOs, and industry representatives), and analysis of
stakeholder responses during the ECHA’s public consultation process.
Qualitative content analysis and thematic coding were employed to interpret the
data and identify systemic problems within the TIS. Results The results
highlight systemic barriers across multiple dimensions: manufacturers exhibit a
lack of entrepreneurial activity and struggle to effectively utilize available
knowledge and resources, while institutional challenges such as the absence of
clear incentives, fragmented regulations, and regulatory ambiguities further
hinder the transition. Additionally, weak coordination and mismatched
priorities among stakeholders exacerbate the difficulty of creating alignment
and legitimacy for PFAS-free alternatives. The study emphasizes that these
barriers can be effectively addressed through the implementation of the
comprehensive PFAS ban combined with collaborative efforts from key
stakeholders. Strategies such as financial and technical support for
innovation, harmonization of EU-wide regulations, and the creation of platforms
for knowledge sharing and stakeholder alignment offer realistic and feasible
pathways to guide the industry toward PFAS-free alternatives. These measures
not only address the systemic problems but also build a foundation for
sustainable innovation and market formation. Discussion This study contributes
new knowledge by providing critical insights into the implementation of the
proposed PFAS ban and its practical implications. The discussion highlights the
positive relevance of the findings, as the results suggest that nearly all
identified systemic barriers can be overcome through targeted regulatory
measures and stakeholder collaboration. The practical relevance of this
research is underscored by its demonstration that the current obstacles are
surmountable with realistic interventions, offering actionable recommendations
for the food packaging industry to transition toward PFAS-free solutions.
Future research Future research should focus on evaluating the long-term
performance and socio-economic impacts of alternatives while exploring
mechanisms to scale their adoption across the industry.