UPM Speciality Materials, Siegwerk and Uteco have developed a paper-based secondary packaging solution containing up to 90 per cent paper, combining barrier base paper, coating and flexographic application technology.
The solution uses UPM’s barrier base paper and Siegwerk’s CIRKIT BAR SEAL coating, applied using Uteco’s flexographic technology. It is designed to provide moisture and grease resistance, heat sealing and recyclability through standard paper recycling streams, according to CEPI/4evergreen v2.
The companies said the solution is intended to help brand owners trial paper-based packaging for demanding applications while retaining primary packaging to protect product integrity.
“Together with Uteco and Siegwerk, we have shown that paper content can be increased to up to 90 per cent in such packaging, while maintaining the performance required for demanding applications,” said Marco Tramontano, sales director at UPM Specialty Materials.
The joint production trial integrated coating, printing and heat sealing in a single pass.
Uteco’s Printing & Technical Department said the process could help converters save time, energy and production costs.
Gilles Le Moigne, head of Circular Economy Coatings at Siegwerk, said the project demonstrated how coatings could support the use of paper in packaging applications traditionally reliant on fossil-based materials.
Samples of the secondary packaging will be displayed at UPM Specialty Materials’ stand at Pack Expo West, booth W-46118.
