Exclusive partnership brings new drop-in barrier coating to print and packaging market, aiming to meet rising demand for recyclable, compostable, and high-performance alternatives
A new collaboration between Impermea Materials and INX International Ink Co. is aiming to rewrite the playbook for sustainable food and beverage packaging—without relying on polyethylene, PFAS, or other fluorinated chemicals.
The two companies announced a strategic agreement this week that makes INX the exclusive distributor of OLEO-PAK 4100, Impermea’s PFAS-free, plastic-free barrier coating for paper packaging. The drop-in solution, designed for recyclability and compostability, is set to roll out through INX’s global converter network, with pilot programs targeting food service applications by the end of 2025.
“As regulators turn up the pressure on plastic and forever chemicals, the packaging industry is at a critical inflection point,” said David Zamarin, CEO and Founder of Impermea. “Our partnership with INX allows us to move faster and reach farther, bringing truly polyethylene-free, PFAS-free packaging to the global market at scale.”
The deal builds on INX’s venture investment in Impermea’s parent company, DetraPel Inc., announced in 2023.
Impermea’s OLEO-PAK 4100
Impermea’s OLEO-PAK 4100 is designed to meet the demands of oil and grease resistance, water vapor control, and food safety without resorting to harmful chemistries. The solution is compliant with both FDA Conditions A–J and EU Regulation No. 10/2011, making it suitable for international markets.
That’s no small feat. As global legislation tightens around PFAS and plastic use—especially in single-use food packaging—brands and converters are racing to find alternatives that still deliver the barrier performance needed for greasy, wet, or high-moisture products.
“By combining INX’s manufacturing scale and global network with Impermea’s next-generation chemistry, we are positioned to redefine what’s possible in sustainable packaging,” said Bryce Kristo, President and CEO of INX International.
First stop: food service
Initial pilot programs are focused on food service applications, where legacy materials like polyethylene linings and fluorinated barriers are falling out of favor due to health and environmental concerns. While OLEO-PAK will start in that sector, both companies say they plan to expand the use case into broader commercial packaging in 2026 and beyond.
With INX ranking as the third-largest ink and coatings supplier in North America—and already deeply embedded in the packaging supply chain—the partnership gives Impermea access to a massive converter and printer base, and gives INX a head start in next-gen barrier solutions just as demand spikes.
