The replacement of single-use plastic packaging continues to make headway in the food industry. Finnish papermaker UPM Specialty Materials, American chemist Michelman and Swiss manufacturer Bobst present two paper packaging products developed for applications concerned by the European directive on single-use plastics, adopted in 2019 SUPD.
The three partners combine UPM packaging papers, Michelman biobased barrier layers and Bobst's know-how in coating processes. The resulting substrates feature barrier and heat-sealing properties, while remaining usable on existing packaging lines.
The three manufacturers also emphasize the recyclability of the structures they have developed and, depending on use, their compatibility with certain composting processes.
Two food applications developed
The first ready-to-industrialize packaging targets tea bags, sugar sticks and oatmeal portions. The barrier layers provide protection against moisture and mineral oils, as well as heat-sealing capability over a wide temperature range.
The second validated concept concerns products requiring a reinforced oxygen barrier, such as individually wrapped cookies or chocolates. The partners also report that they have reduced coating weights in order to limit material consumption.
Solutions compatible with existing packaging lines
For Michelman, the challenge is to maintain the performance of packaging currently in use without imposing major modifications on packers. "The proposed materials must be fully compatible with current packaging lines" emphasizes Iulia Mihai, Senior Scientist at Michelman.
"When materials and application parameters are developed together, processors can more easily implement new structures while achieving stable production." says Luca Nespolo, Head of the Competence Center at Bobst.
