UPM specialty papers creates a digitally printable confectionery pouch

UPM Specialty Papers has co-created a recyclable pouch, with Henkel and Koenig & Bauer, for uses such as confectionery, as well as frozen food and bakery products. 

The company already enjoys a long-standing relationship with Henkel and has also recently embarked on projects with Koenig & Bauer.

Recyclable. Heat-sealable. Food safe.

Named ‘doypack’, the confectionery pouch eliminates all barrier properties, making it suitable for all printing methods, including digital. It is also recyclable in existing fibre recycling streams and completely safe for food contact.

Optimized for digital printing

The project began with UPM Asendo barrier paper, which was tested and optimized on a Koenig & Bauer RotaJET digital press. Unlike flexo, rotogravure or offset printing methods that require high volume runs, digital printing technology allows small batches to be produced for specific marketing purposes such as events or localized packaging.

The prototype packaging was then coated with Henkel's Aquence Epix BC 6134 FL coating. The resulting structure not only provided resistance to moisture and grease but also had excellent sealing properties. This made it ideal for uses such as confectionery, as well as frozen food and bakery products.

Aleksi Pekkanen, senior researcher, UPM R&D, commented: ‘The smooth collaboration between UPM, Koenig & Bauer Digital & Webfed and Henkel ensures that the project runs efficiently and effectively, leveraging the strengths of each party and showcasing the latest advancements in digital printing and sustainable packaging solutions. The materials used in the doypack pouches are designed to run seamlessly across different processes, ensuring high runnability and consistent quality.’

The entire production process from coating to printing to packaging the candy is very smooth, with the final pouches being produced at Pack Company.

‘We have used UPM paper on our packaging line a few times. Now that we've learned to run heat-sealable barrier papers, it works just like other commercial materials. The packaging machines are made for plastic, but we can already achieve the same running speeds with UPM barrier papers. Papers also drive better than plastic and reduce waste because plastic stretches. Paper offers a higher level of dimensional stability,’ says Jaana Hakkarainen, director, sales and production, Pack company.

UPM Asendo, UPM Asendo Pro, UPM Solide Lucent and UPM Prego barrier and barrier base papers can be used for further coatings to improve its protective properties and add heat- or cold-sealing. Together with its partner coatings, these papers are capable of delivering medium to high barrier levels based on the end-use requirements.