Oct. 31 (Bloomberg) -- UPM Specialty Papers (UPM, Finland) and Eastman (Eastman, U.S.A.) have created a new bioplastic-coated paper packaging solution designed for food applications that require grease and oxygen barriers, such as confectionery and cookies, and meat-and-patty packaging.
The solution combines Eastman's bio-based and compostable Solus™ functional additives with PTT Thailand's BioPBS polymers to form a thin coating on UPM's compostable and recyclable barrier base paper. Thanks to the thinness of the coating, the solution is designed for recycling in existing plant fiber (paper) recycling streams, enabling brands to adopt sustainable packaging.
Esa Saukkonen, Packaging Portfolio Development Manager at UPM R&D, says: “We are pleased to present the results of our collaborative development with Eastman. Together with our partners, we continue to improve the performance of fiber-based packaging. This new biopolymer coating solution, for example, offers new options for difficult-to-pack food products ranging from confectionery end uses, to meat pies in the frozen food aisle.”
This unique solution enhances the barrier-enhancing effects of UPM Solide™ Lucent and UPM Prego™ barrier base papers to achieve performance not possible with a single component. It provides excellent heat sealability while maintaining barrier protection during folding, making it suitable for flexible packaging. In addition, the technology is compatible with conventional LDPE (low-density polyethylene) extrusion coating equipment, requiring no additional capital investment.
Traditionally, the challenge in combining extruded coatings with paper has been the adhesion of the coating to the paper, especially with bio-based or biodegradable extruded coatings. The solution developed by UPM Specialty Papers and Eastman helps to solve this problem.
Bhuma Rajagopalan, Marketing Manager at Eastman CASE Innovation, said: “Through our collaboration with UPM, we have developed compostable, multifunctional fiber-based packaging solutions that integrate smoothly with extrusion coating equipment. Eastman's Solus™ additives reduce coating thickness, which in turn reduces plastic use and enables recyclability of food packaging.
These additives play a key role in advancing the brand's scalable, sustainable paper packaging.” The packaging solution has been validated for recyclability according to the PTS methodology (PTS-RH 021/97 cat II), and individual components of the solution have been validated for home and industrial compostability.
