The C-Five project, funded by ADEME, is part of an initiative to develop high-performance, recyclable packaging made of 99.9% cellulose, through the nanoscale functionalization of cellulose substrates using atomic layer deposition (ALD).
Conducted in collaboration between LGP2, SIMaP, and the Grenoble-based startup Cilkoa, this doctoral thesis explores the interactions between the ALD process and various cellulose-based materials to identify the conditions that optimize the quality and performance of alumina coatings. The influence of deposition parameters—such as temperature, oxidizing reagents, aging, and the reactors used—as well as the intrinsic characteristics of the substrates, including their chemical composition, porosity, and roughness, was studied.
This research highlights the potential of ALD to impart new functionalities to cellulosic materials while preserving their intrinsic properties and end-of-life characteristics. The applications studied demonstrate, in particular, the value of this technology for improving the insulating performance of cellulose foams as well as the barrier and mechanical properties of rigid and flexible packaging, without compromising their recyclability or biodegradability. The results obtained, combined with the scale-up work conducted using Cilkoa’s industrial reactors—which can reach a capacity of 1.4 m³—demonstrate ALD’s potential as an innovative technology to support the development of high-performance, bio-based alternatives to plastic packaging, thereby contributing to the transition toward more sustainable packaging solutions.
