UPM Specialty Papers and Eastman have introduced a biopolymer-coated paper packaging solution designed for food products needing grease and oxygen barriers.
The solution integrated Eastman’s biobased and compostable Solus performance additives with BioPBSTM polymer, forming a thin coating on UPM’s compostable and recyclable barrier base papers. The coating's thinness allows the packaging to be recycled within existing fibre recycling systems, promoting sustainable practices for brands.
Esa Saukkonen, manager, packaging portfolio development at UPM R&D, mentioned the range of potential applications, stating, “This new biopolymer coated solution… provides a new option for difficult-to-pack foods ranging from confectionery end-uses to meat pies found in chilled-food aisles.”
The solution built on the properties of UPM Solide Lucent and UPM Prego barrier base papers, offering enhanced heat sealability and maintaining barrier protection even when folded. Additionally, it worked with conventional LDPE extrusion coating equipment, eliminating the need for new investment.
Bhuma Rajagopalan, marketing manager, CASE Innovation at Eastman, pointed out the benefits of their collaboration with UPM, “Eastman Solus additive reduces coating thickness, which lowers plastic usage and enables recyclability of food packaging. These additives have been pivotal in advancing scalable, sustainable paper packaging for brands.”
The solution was validated for recyclability according to PTS method (PTS-RH 021/97 cat II), and its individual components met both home and industrial compostability standards. UPM Specialty Papers has been showcasing samples of the extrusion-coated paper at its stand during Pack Expo International in Chicago, held this week (from 3-6 November).
