New Applications for Paper Flexible Packaging in the Food Industry
Sappi Europe announced it was continually expanding their range of recyclable barrier papers developed around five years ago. “Our service consists of the gradual implementation of market requirements and improvement of product properties. We are following a clearly defined and laid out strategy. From the beginning, the entire development aimed to create packaging paper with high barrier properties that are also recyclable,” explains Kerstin Dietze, Key Account Manager New Business Development at Sappi Europe, quoted in a press release.
In addition, the expansion of additional production capacities has already begun. Recently, Sappi announced that it was introducing a new barrier coating technology for functional paper packaging at its specialty paper plant in Alfeld, Germany.
The target markets for the new product generation are in applications where moderate to high oxygen, water vapor and grease barriers are required. “There are new applications coming every day,” says Kerstin Dietze, key account manager New Business Development at Sappi Europe describing the current market situation and the interest in barrier paper in the food industry. She lists two current examples: “They are often used for confectionery goods, such as chocolate, chocolate products and muesli bars. Dry food products such as flour, sugar, pasta packaging and custard powder are packaged in these, along with bakery products and breakfast cereals. Sealable barrier paper is also increasingly being used to package tea bags. A new application is wrapping paper for stock cubes. In the case of frozen foods, initial steps are being taken with ice cream. Development projects are being carried out with frozen goods, although barrier properties are not as much of a focus there.”
In 2020, Sappi and Felix Schoeller launched the barrier paper AvantGuard, a second-generation development. It provides an alternative to first-generation PVDC-coated paper and is also recyclable. “With AvantGuard, we can get up to the high barrier,” says Dr. Knut Hornig, senior vice president Research & Innovation at the Felix Schoeller Group, describing the material properties of the newly developed, coated paper compound. In relation to barrier properties, the water vapor barrier is critical above all else. AvantGuard exhibits values below 1 g/m2/d (23°C and 50% relative humidity) at standard conditions and offers high barrier properties.
AvantGuard is available in three grammages. These include 90 g/m2 and 100 g/m2 versions with a glossy coated print surface as well as a thinner 75 g/m2 version with a calendered, uncoated paper surface.