UPM and Paramelt introduce bio-based food packaging concept

UPM Specialty Materials and Paramelt have jointly developed a bio-based and paper-based food packaging concept. It provides strong grease protection and improved end-of-life performance, making it particularly suitable for bakery, fast food and convenience applications.

UPM’s advanced barrier base papers combined with Paramelt’s innovative bio-based heat-seal and barrier technology deliver a recyclable paper-based solution with the grease barrier and sealing performance required for food applications. The components have been individually validated as home compostable.

“Our collaboration with Paramelt enables us to offer a bio‑based packaging concept with strong grease protection and proven performance on packaging lines. Achieving this level of grease resistance at such low coat weights is highly challenging even with fossil-based coatings, and the combined concept of our barrier base paper properties and Paramelt’s bio-based coating delivers exceptional performance,” Christiane Laine, Senior Researcher, UPM Innovation.

The co-creation concept pairs UPM Solide™ Lucent or UPM Prego™ papers, specifically engineered as a base for barrier coatings, with Paramelt Aquavate™ Bio SB 2383, a water-based coating formulated exclusively from biodegradable components. Together, these materials create a functional packaging solution suitable for a wide range of food products, including bakery, grab-and-go, and other dry or greasy goods.

The collaboration demonstrates how the coating integrates efficiently with UPM’s papers engineered for barrier coatings, enabling low coat weights and reliable performance on existing packaging lines, such as VFFS (vertical form fill seal) lines.

“Brand owners and converters are seeking scalable technologies that integrate easily into current production setups. Aquavate™ Bio SB 2383 is a bio-based and biodegradable coating designed for reliable performance on standard coating processes and existing converting lines, enabling a practical shift toward recyclable, home compostable fibre-based solutions,” Leon Krings, Business Development Manager, Packaging Coatings & Adhesives, Paramelt.

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