Earthodic
Earthodic is a materials science company developing patented lignin-based bio-based coatings under the Biobarc brand for paper packaging, delivering water-, oil-, and grease-resistance while remaining recyclable, repulpable, and compostable. It serves paper manufacturers, paper coaters, packaging converters, and consumer brands globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersBrisbane, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Earthodic does
Earthodic is a materials science company developing patented, lignin-based barrier coatings for paper-based packaging under the Biobarc product family (Aqua 100, Slide, Black, and Grip variants). The core technology exploits lignin — an abundant bio-based by-product of paper manufacturing — to deliver water resistance (20-30 g/m2 Cobb 30min), oil and grease resistance (8-10 on 3M Kit), and up to 10% base-material strength gain, while preserving repulpability (97-98% fibre yield per FBA Voluntary Protocol), compostability (decomposition within 42 days), and a PFAS-free / VOC-free profile validated by independent third-party labs.
The business model is B2B and horizontally segmented across paper manufacturers, paper coaters, packaging converters, and consumer brands, with revenue generated primarily from product sales (Biobarc coatings) and a secondary licensing/royalty stream from the patented lignin-based coating technology. Pricing is bespoke, contracts are structured as multi-year engagements, and the company operates a sample-and-trial-led sales motion supported by industry tradeshows (e.g., Pack Expo Las Vegas) and direct enterprise field engagement. Manufacturing is asset-light, executed through toll-manufacturing partnerships in the US and Asia with capacity at full commercial scale.
Geographically, Earthodic was founded in Australia (Brisbane, Queensland entity Earthodic Pty Ltd) and has since shifted operational gravity to the United States following a USD $4M oversubscribed seed round in October 2024, incorporating Earthodic Inc in Delaware and establishing US headquarters at the Western Michigan University Innovation Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan — proximate to the WMU Pilot Coating Plant and Tappi Lab, which serve as both testing infrastructure and independent validators. The company has raised approximately USD $5.85M in cumulative venture funding across pre-seed and seed rounds from a syndicate that includes Tenacious Ventures, Investible, FTW Ventures, Circulate Capital, QIC, UniQuest Fund, Closed Loop Partners, Twynam Group, Branch Venture Group, RedStick Ventures, and Significant Capital Ventures.
Earthodic firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Earthodic
- Legal name
- Earthodic Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://earthodic.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Earthodic is a materials science company developing patented lignin-based bio-based coatings under the Biobarc brand for paper packaging, delivering water-, oil-, and grease-resistance while remaining recyclable, repulpable, and compostable. It serves paper manufacturers, paper coaters, packaging converters, and consumer brands globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Earthodic industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Bio-based Barrier Coatings for Paper Packaging
- NAICS
- Paint and Coating Manufacturing (325510)
- SIC
- Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Bio-based Adhesives, Coatings & Sealants (lignin/tannin/soy-based) (IMAMALAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Biodegradable Coatings & Barrier Layers (paper/packaging barriers) (IMAEAOAH), Sustainable Labels, Adhesives & Inks (Wash-Off Labels, De-inkable Inks, Low-VOC) (IMALAMAJ), Bio-based Packaging Materials (molded fiber, bio-barrier coatings, compostables) (IMAMALAI)
Keywords
Where Earthodic is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brisbane
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
Earthodic business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Coating Product Sales: Sale of proprietary bio-based coatings (Biobarc product line) to paper manufacturers, coaters, and packaging companies. Tailored pricing based on customer needs. Currently scaling production with toll manufacturers in US and Asia.
- Technology Licensing: Licensing of patented lignin-based coating technology to manufacturers. IP portfolio includes global patents for composition and application methods.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom/bespoke pricing for coating products |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Earthodic product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Earthodic develops, manufactures (via toll partners), and sells a family of patented, lignin-based bio-based barrier coatings under the Biobarc™ brand for paper-based packaging. The coatings deliver water resistance, oil and grease resistance, heat sealability, and strength enhancement while remaining repulpable, recyclable, compostable, PFAS-free, and VOC-free. Customers are paper manufacturers, paper coaters, packaging companies, and consumer brands, with additional technology licensing of the patented composition and application IP.
Product overview
Earthodic is a climate-tech innovator offering a family of bio-based barrier coatings for the paper packaging market under the Biobarc™ brand. The product line includes four distinct variants: Biobarc™ Aqua 100, Biobarc™ Slide (with lower coefficient of friction), Biobarc™ Black (pigmented variant using vegetable carbon black), and Biobarc™ Grip. All Biobarc™ products are patented, 100% bio-based coatings derived from renewable sources like lignin that provide water resistance, oil and grease resistance, and strength enhancement while remaining repulpable, recyclable, and compostable. The coatings are designed as drop-in solutions for existing coating equipment, serving applications in cold chain packaging, industrial packaging, and agricultural/food supply chain packaging.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Biobarc™: Bio-based, water-resistant coating product line for paper-based packaging that provides moisture and grease resistance while allowing repulping and recycling. Includes Biobarc Aqua 100, Biobarc Slide, Biobarc Black, and Biobarc Grip variants.
- Biobarc™ Aqua 100
- Biobarc™ Slide
- Biobarc™ Black
- Biobarc™ Grip
Products and services
- Biobarc™ Aqua 100 Patented 100% bio-based lignin coating that protects paper-based packaging from moisture and grease while allowing the packaging to be repulped and recycled at end of life; designed as a drop-in barrier coating for paper manufacturers, coaters, and packaging companies.
- Biobarc™ Slide Patented 100% bio-based lignin coating that protects paper-based packaging from moisture and grease with a lower coefficient of friction compared to Biobarc™ Grip; supports repulping and recycling at end of life.
- Biobarc™ Black High-performing Biobarc coating with added vegetable carbon black pigments, providing a 100% bio-based alternative to fossil-fuel-derived carbon black for coloured paper-based packaging.
- Biobarc™ Grip Patented 100% bio-based water-resistant coating that protects paper-based packaging from moisture and grease while allowing repulping and recycling at end of life.
- Lignin-based coating technology licensing Licensing of Earthodic's patented lignin-based coating IP, covering global patents on coating composition and application methods, including licensed-in historical lignin coating patents from Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
Quantifiable outcome
- 98% fiber yield achieved on standard 205gsm linerboard (exceeds 95% European requirement)
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Earthodic
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Earthodic technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Earthodic partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Western Michigan University (WMU)coreTesting partner for repulpability and recyclability certification. Provides Pilot Coating Plant and Tappi Lab facilities. Earthodic established US HQ at WMU Innovation Center in Kalamazoo.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Earthodic competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Kemira: Kemira is a global specialty chemicals company with a sizable paper and packaging segment that includes barrier and sizing chemistries. Directly comparable end-market focus on paper mills, but as a diversified incumbent with significantly broader scale and product breadth than Earthodic.
- Stora Enso: Stora Enso is a major European pulp and paper producer with a renewable packaging division that develops bio-based barrier coatings (e.g., formed fiber packaging with bio barriers). Comparable to Earthodic in developing sustainable paper-packaging solutions with bio-based barriers, but as a vertically integrated incumbent that both supplies and uses coating technology in its own packaging lines.
- Solenis: Solenis is a large specialty chemicals supplier to the pulp and paper industry, offering barrier coatings, strength additives, and process chemistries. Comparable to Earthodic in serving paper manufacturers with coating solutions, but operates as a broad incumbent with a much larger portfolio across water treatment and paper process chemicals.
- BASF: BASF produces Ecovio and other certified compostable / bio-based bioplastic grades used in paper-coating and packaging applications. Competes with Earthodic at the intersection of bio-based packaging materials, but as a global chemicals giant whose coating activity is one line within a vastly broader portfolio.
- Sappi: Sappi is a global pulp and paper company producing coated and barrier papers for packaging applications, with active development of bio-based barrier grades. Comparable as a paper-producer customer and potential competitor in sustainable barrier papers, but with a much larger manufacturing footprint and integrated papermaking operations.
Direct peers
- Michelman: Michelman is a global developer and manufacturer of water-based barrier and functional coatings for paper, corrugated, and flexible packaging. Highly comparable to Earthodic: serves the same paper-mill and converter customer base with barrier coatings, sells into similar packaging applications, and competes directly on water-resistance and recyclability performance.
Emerging players
- Notpla: Notpla develops seaweed-based coatings and films designed to replace single-use plastic packaging. Comparable to Earthodic as a venture-backed startup selling bio-based packaging materials to consumer brands and converters, but differentiated by seaweed feedstock rather than lignin and a primary focus on flexible films rather than paper coating.
- Lactips: Lactips produces protein-based (casein) water-soluble and barrier coatings marketed as plastic alternatives for paper and packaging. Comparable to Earthodic as an early-stage supplier of bio-based barrier coatings to paper converters and packaging brands, with a different feedstock (milk protein vs. lignin) and overlapping end-use applications.
- TIPA: TIPA produces certified compostable flexible packaging films and coatings targeting the same FMCG and packaging converter customers as Earthodic. Comparable as an emerging bio-based packaging materials startup with sustainability-driven value proposition, though primarily focused on compostable films rather than paper-coating barrier technology.
Others
- Imerys: Imerys supplies mineral-based functional additives (kaolin, calcium carbonates) used in paper coatings and barrier formulations. Adjacent to Earthodic as a supplier-side participant in the paper-coating value chain rather than a direct competitor, but its mineral-coating portfolio competes for the same paper-mill coating specification slots.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Earthodic social profiles
Digital presenceEarthodic compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Earthodic financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Earthodic leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Earthodic funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors12 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Earthodic M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Earthodic
What does Earthodic do?
Earthodic develops, manufactures (via toll partners), and sells a family of patented, lignin-based bio-based barrier coatings under the Biobarc™ brand for paper-based packaging. The coatings deliver water resistance, oil and grease resistance, heat sealability, and strength enhancement while remaining repulpable, recyclable, compostable, PFAS-free, and VOC-free. Customers are paper manufacturers, paper coaters, packaging companies, and consumer brands, with additional technology licensing of the patented composition and application IP.
Is Earthodic a public or private company?
Earthodic is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Earthodic founded?
Earthodic was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Earthodic based?
Earthodic is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Earthodic make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Coating Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are technology Licensing.
Who are Earthodic's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Kemira, Stora Enso, Solenis, BASF and Sappi. Michelman is listed as a direct peer. Emerging players are Notpla, Lactips and TIPA. Imerys is listed as an others.
Does Earthodic have an API?
No public API is recorded for Earthodic.
What industry is Earthodic in?
Earthodic's product category is Bio-based Barrier Coatings for Paper Packaging. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAMALAG, Bio-based Adhesives, Coatings & Sealants (lignin/tannin/soy-based), with a secondary code of IMAEAOAH, Biodegradable Coatings & Barrier Layers (paper/packaging barriers). Its NAICS code is 325510 and its SIC code is 2851.