Starch and its derivatives for paper coatings: A review

• The starch-based materials for coating binder and surface sizing are reviewed. • The starch-based bionanocomposites for paper coatings are reviewed. • The starch blends for paper coatings are summarized. • The future trends and opportunities for starch-based coatings are discussed. Starch and its derivatives have been widely used in the paper industry due to its completely biodegradable nature, wide availability, and low cost. The surface coating of starch-based product is a well-established commercial practice to confer the desired property to paper. Today, on top of the continuing demand for higher performance and lower costs, the paper industry faces tighter regulation and higher sustainability standards. The progress in starch modification and coating technology has created opportunities in terms of fundamental study and industrial application. Starch products with variations in structure, composition, and properties have been developed for various applications. Furthermore, starch-based bionanocomposites and blends have been utilized to provide new functionalities to paper and paperboard. This review summarizes the recent progress of starch and its derivatives in surface sizing, coating binder, and functional coatings. The future trends and opportunities for starch-based coatings are also discussed.