Siegwerk has highlighted its range of inks and functional coatings designed to support the transition from plastic-based packaging structures towards fibre-based alternatives.
As packaging producers increasingly explore paperisation as part of their circularity strategies, Siegwerk said replacing plastic with paper brings a number of technical considerations. Fibre-based packaging still needs to provide appropriate shelf-life and barrier performance, meet recycling requirements and maintain print and branding quality.
The company offers solvent-based and water-based inks alongside dispersion coatings designed to provide barrier properties and functional coatings for applications including heat sealing. These technologies can be used to provide some of the functionality traditionally achieved through additional plastic-based packaging components.
According to Siegwerk, developing fibre-based alternatives also requires consideration of how inks, coatings and other materials affect the recyclability of the finished packaging, including the avoidance of materials that could disrupt established paper recovery and recycling processes.
The company said its portfolio is intended to help packaging manufacturers develop paper-based structures that balance product protection, print performance and functionality with the requirements of existing fibre recycling streams.
