UPM Specialty Materials and Felix Schoeller, a speciality paper manufacturer, have developed a customisable recyclable barrier paper designed specifically for flexible food packaging, such as chocolate and snack bars.
In response to the growing demand for recyclable packaging, this food-safe, fibre-based option supports the packaging industry’s transition toward upcoming recyclability requirements under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
Based on UPM’s Solide Lucent packaging paper, Felix Schoeller has created a barrier concept that can be tailored to the specific performance requirements of different products. This allows the product to be customised according to the requirements of the end-use and required levels of barrier protection.
UPM and Felix Schoeller have developed customisable fibre-based flexible food packaging.
UPM Solide Lucent features a smooth and dense surface that allows for lower coating weights while still delivering the strength needed for reliable performance on high-speed production lines. A range of grammages is available to match specific application requirements.
Markus Kamphuis, Technical Sales Manager, UPM Specialty Materials, said, “Flexible food packaging is evolving quickly and brand-owners need solutions that deliver both high- performance barrier protection and recyclability. Our collaboration with Felix Schoeller demonstrates how UPM Solide Lucent can be adapted to different end uses, enabling fully fibre-based packaging concepts that are ready for tomorrow’s regulatory expectations.”
Andreas Bergmeier, Head of Innovation & Technical Sales Packaging, Felix Schoeller, explained, “Instead of relying on fixed technologies or standard barrier levels, we design customisable coating solutions that deliver the protection required, whether against oxygen, moisture, grease, or for sealing and mechanical performance. UPM Solide Lucent has proven to be an excellent base material for this. It runs reliably on our coating lines, offers well-balanced mechanical performance, and delivers outstanding printability. This enables solutions that truly protect what matters.”
