UPM, Ingredion, a global ingredient solutions company, and Paramelt, a global producer of functional coatings have joined forces to investigate how plant-based starch barrier technologies can support the development of recyclable paper-based food packaging. Starch-based technologies offer new opportunities for paper packaging innovation, especially for grease barriers.
The joint development work brings together complementary technologies from across the value chain to better understand how paper-based packaging structures can be designed for demanding food applications. The structures are based on UPM Solide™ Lucent 78 gsm and UPM Asendo™ 65 gsm papers.
"Expanding the range of paper-based packaging options available to converters and brand owners requires innovation across the value chain. This collaboration with Ingredion and Paramelt demonstrates how complementary technologies can help broaden the possibilities of paper-based packaging for food applications in the Americas and globally," says Sarah Dembroski, Sales Director, Packaging Papers Americas, UPM Specialty Materials.
Ingredion's contribution focuses on starch-based barrier technology, which shows promising potential for enhancing grease resistance in paper packaging applications.
“By combining Ingredion's plant-based starch barrier coatings with UPM's Specialty Materials substrates and Paramelt's heat-seal coatings, we have demonstrated a paper-based packaging solution that supports the transition to more sustainable food packaging. This collaboration highlights how complementary technologies can help accelerate the adoption of renewable, fiber-based packaging solutions," says Anand Sundararaman, Project Leader, Sustainable Packaging Coating Applications, Ingredion
The collaboration also leverages Paramelt's expertise in bio-based heat-seal and barrier coatings, helping evaluate how different technologies can work together in paper-based packaging structures.
"At Paramelt, we believe the future of packaging lies in combining renewable materials with high-performance functionality. By bringing our expertise in bio-based heat-seal and barrier coatings together with UPM's advanced paper substrates and Ingredion's starch-based technologies, we have created a compelling solution that helps brand owners meet both performance and sustainability objectives," said Neill Dutton, Research & Innovation Director, Paramelt.
The collaboration has resulted in a co-created paper-based packaging structure, based on UPM Solide™ Lucent 78 gsm, that has passed Part 1 recyclability testing at Western Michigan University. Samples developed through the collaboration will be on display at the UPM Specialty Materials PACK EXPO Booth W-46118, October 18-21, in Chicago.