UPM, Uteco and Siegwerk introduce a paper-based solution for secondary packaging

UPM Specialty Materials, Siegwerk and Uteco have developed a paper-based solution for secondary packaging. UPM provides the barrier base paper, Siegwerk the coating and Uteco the technology that applies it. Designed as a practical entry point into paper packaging, the solution allows brand owners to increase renewable material content and test paper-based formats in demanding applications, while the primary packaging continues to safeguard product integrity.

“As packaging legislation, such as EU PPWR, evolve globally, brand owners need practical ways to reduce plastic without compromising performance. Together with Uteco and Siegwerk, we have shown that paper content can be increased to up to 90% in such packaging, while maintaining the performance required for demanding applications,” says Marco Tramontano, Sales Director, UPM Specialty Materials.

Designed for brand owners, converters and machine builders, the solution combines UPM barrier base paper with Siegwerk’s Cirkit Bar Seal coating, precisely applied using Uteco’s high-definition flexographic technology to deliver moisture and grease resistance, heat sealing and recyclability through standard paper recycling streams (CEPI/4evergreen v2).

“Coatings play a critical role in enabling the next generation of paper packaging. By applying our Cirkit Bar Seal technology onto UPM’s barrier paper using Uteco’s advanced flexographic process, we have created a recyclable paper-based solution that delivers the functional performance converters and brand owners expect. This project shows how innovation in coatings can help unlock new opportunities for reducing dependence on fossil-based packaging materials,” says Gilles Le Moigne, Head of Circular Economy Coatings at Siegwerk.

« Our joint production trial showed that paper packaging can perform efficiently at industrial scale. By integrating coating, printing and heat sealing in a single pass, made possible by advanced technology and the right equipment, this solution helps converters produce functional paper packaging while saving time, energy and production costs, » says Uteco’s Printing & Technical Department.

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