Acrylic Emulsion, PLA, and Water-Based Coating – What’s the Difference?

August 12, 2025 at 12:22 PM EDT

As sustainability and performance continue to shape the Paper packaging industry, manufacturers and buyers alike are exploring alternatives to traditional plastic coatings. Among the most popular coating options today are Acrylic Emulsion Coating, PLA Coating, and Water-Based Coating.

But what are the differences between these three materials? Which one is best suited for your packaging needs? Let’s break it down:

✅ 1. Acrylic Emulsion Coating

What it is:Acrylic emulsion is a water-based synthetic resin made from petroleum-derived polymers. It is applied to paper surfaces to enhance gloss, printability, and water resistance.

Key Features:

High gloss and clarity
Excellent printability
Strong adhesion and scuff resistance
Commonly used in photo paper, labels, and Coated boards
Not biodegradable or compostable
Relatively high cost due to resin content

Best for:High-end print applications, advertising materials, and packaging that requires durability and appearance.

✅ 2. PLA Coating

What it is: PLA (Polylactic Acid) is a bioplastic made from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugarcane. When used as a paper coating, it offers good barrier properties and isindustrially compostable.

Key Features:

100% compostable under industrial conditions
Suitable for food contact
Acts as a waterproof and grease-resistant layer
Requires higher coating weight than PE to achieve the same barrier effect
More sensitive to temperature and sealing conditions

Best for: Eco-friendly paper cups, bowls, and other food-grade disposable packaging where sustainability is a key concern.

✅ 3. Water-Based Coating

What it is: This type of coating uses water as the main solvent and may contain natural polymers (such as modified starch, PVA, or biodegradable resins). It’s designed to provide grease resistance, heat sealability, and printability without plastic.

Key Features:

Plastic-free and repulpable
Ideal for food packaging and wrapping paper
Lower barrier performance than PLA or PE, but improving with new formulas
Excellent for customers seeking PFAS-free, eco-conscious options
Usually has a matte or soft finish

Best for: Greaseproof paper, burger wraps, paper cups, and plastic-free packaging solutions.

Comparison Table

Feature	Acrylic Emulsion	PLA Coating	Water-Based Coating
Source Material	Petrochemical resin	Renewable (corn/sugar)	Water + natural polymers
Biodegradable/Compostable	❌ No	✅ Yes (Industrial)	✅ Yes / Repulpable
Water Resistance	✅ Excellent	✅ Good	⚠️ Moderate to Good
Heat Sealable	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Grease Resistance	⚠️ Moderate	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Common Applications	Labels, photo paper	Eco paper cups, trays	Burger wraps, cup stock

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Conclusion

Each coating has its own strengths and ideal applications:

Choose Acrylic Emulsion if you need high-quality printability and gloss.
Choose PLA Coating if sustainability and compostability are top priorities.
Choose Water-Based Coating if you want a plastic-free, recyclable solution for food packaging.

At Sure Paper, we supply all three types of coated paper materials and help you choose the best fit based on your product needs, sustainability goals, and budget.

Contact us today to request free samples or learn more about custom coating solutions.

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Company Name: Ningbo Sure Paper Co., Ltd.
Email: Send Email
Country: China
Website: https://www.sure-paper.com/

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Acrylic Emulsion, PLA, and Water-Based Coating – What’s the Difference?

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