Protecting surfaces without relying on fossil chemistry
Modern coatings are everywhere: they protect, strengthen and add functionality to materials used across industry. But many still rely on fossil-based chemicals, creating sustainability, toxicity and end-of-life challenges. BIO4COAT responds to this by developing safe, high-performance biobased coatings designed for extreme and demanding conditions.
Turning biorefineries into coating innovation hubs
At the centre of the initiative is a simple but powerful idea: use renewable building blocks from biorefineries to create coatings that can compete with conventional alternatives. BIO4COAT focuses on three biobased inputs, 1,4-biobutanediol (1,4-bioBDO), long-chain dicarboxylic acids (lcDCA) and material sourced from biorefineries, and transforms them into biopolyurethane coatings and new sustainable surface treatments.
Built for demanding industrial realities
These coatings are not being designed for easy conditions. BIO4COAT works towards solutions that can perform under mechanical stress, chemical exposure, humidity, high wear, environmental degradation and other demanding environments. The initiative targets validation across sectors including plastics, hygiene, textiles, agriculture, horticulture, furniture, energy and construction.
Two routes towards safer high-performance surfaces
The initiative develops two complementary coating value chains: biobased polyurethane coatings derived from 1,4-bioBDO and lcDCA, and new sustainable coatings using materials from biorefinery waste streams. It also combines biobased polyurethane systems, including 1K PUD and 2K PUR, with surface-treatment approaches such as physical vapour deposition (PVD), aiming to validate the solutions at TRL5.
Why it matters for a stronger bioeconomy
What makes BIO4COAT especially relevant for the bio-based transition is that performance is not treated separately from sustainability. The initiative applies the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework and considers end-of-life options such as recyclability and reuse from the design phase.
By converting renewable and biorefinery-based inputs into advanced coating solutions, BIO4COAT helps show that bio-based innovation can move beyond materials substitution and into industrial performance. Its wider value lies in connecting biorefineries, green chemistry, surface engineering and real-world validation, making biobased coatings more credible, scalable and relevant for sectors that need durability as much as sustainability.
Initiative facts
Programme: Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking under Horizon Europe.
Duration: 1 June 2025 – 31 May 2029.
Website: Biobased Coatings for Extreme and Demanding Applications | BIO4COAT
