For decades, shellac—a resin secreted by the lac beetle—has been the industry standard for glazes and coatings in confectionery, pharmaceuticals, and even wood finishes. It provides a glossy surface, moisture resistance, and protection for delicate actives. But today, markets are shifting. Consumers are demanding clean-label, vegan, and sustainable alternatives. At the same time, formulators need greater flexibility and performance in encapsulation and controlled release.

Enter zein, a natural protein derived from corn, which is rapidly emerging as the next-generation alternative to shellac.

Why Shellac Falls Short in Today’s Market

Shellac has been trusted for centuries, but it comes with limitations that no longer fit the needs of global markets:

• Animal origin: Shellac is insect-derived, making it unsuitable for vegan, vegetarian, kosher, or certain halal certifications.

• Brittle films: While providing good barriers, shellac coatings are prone to cracking unless softened with plasticizers.

• Processing restrictions: Shellac requires alcohol or alkaline solutions, and its pH-dependent solubility limits release options.

• Market perception: In an era of sustainability and transparency, many brands hesitate to rely on animal-derived materials.

Zein: A Plant-Based Upgrade

Zein solves these challenges while opening new opportunities. As a plant protein sourced from corn gluten meal (a byproduct of the starch and ethanol industries), zein is renewable, compostable, and label-friendly. But it’s not just sustainable—it’s smarter and more versatile:

• Flexible, durable films: Zein creates tough yet flexible barriers against oxygen and oils without cracking.

• Encapsulation power: Unlike shellac, zein naturally forms micro- and nanoparticles, making it ideal for protecting flavors, vitamins, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals.

• Controlled release: Its tunable solubility enables sustained or targeted delivery, including intestine-specific release.

• Green processing: Zein dissolves in aqueous ethanol and blends easily with other biopolymers and waxes, supporting environmentally friendly manufacturing.

• Regulatory acceptance: Recognized as GRAS by the FDA, zein is already widely used in food, pharma, and personal care.

Applications Across Industries

• Confectionery: Vegan-friendly glosses, protective nut and fruit coatings, and anti-stick finishes for gummies.

• Pharma/Nutraceuticals: Advanced encapsulation for bioactives, with pH-sensitive release profiles.

• Personal Care: Biobased film formers for skin patches, hair treatments, and topical delivery systems.

• Packaging: Sustainable coatings for paper and fiber, offering water and oil resistance without PFAS.

• Agriculture: Encapsulation of fertilizers and pesticides for controlled release, improved efficiency, and reduced environmental impact.

Beyond Shellac: What Zein Can Do That Shellac Can’t

Zein doesn’t just match shellac—it surpasses it by enabling entirely new applications outside shellac’s reach:

• Gluten replacement: Zein mimics gluten’s elasticity in baking, creating better textures in gluten-free products.

• Vegan cheese: Zein forms the structure and stretch missing in dairy-free cheese formulations.

• Cultured meats: As a biocompatible protein scaffold, zein supports cell growth for lab-grown meat production.

• Adhesives: Zein serves as a natural, compostable binder and adhesive for packaging, composites, and wood products.

The Bottom Line

Shellac had its place in history—but zein represents the future. With superior flexibility, encapsulation capability, and consumer-friendly credentials, zein is the sustainable solution that meets both technical requirements and market expectations.

As industries move away from animal-derived and petroleum-based materials, zein is leading the way toward a smarter, greener generation of coatings and encapsulation agents.