UPM develops paper-based food packaging with compostable biobased coating

UPM Specialty Papers and Eastman have co-created a novel biopolymer-coated paper packaging designed for food applications requiring grease and oxygen barriers.

The new product integrates Eastman’s biobased and compostable Solus performance additives with BioPBS polymer to form a thin coating onto UPM’s compostable and recyclable barrier-base papers. Thanks to the coating layer's thinness, it is designed for recycling within existing fiber recycling streams, empowering brands to adopt sustainable packaging.

‘We are excited to introduce the result of our development work with Eastman. Together with our partners, we are constantly pushing the performance of fiber-based packaging. This new biopolymer coated solution, for example, provides a new option for difficult-to-pack foods ranging from confectionary end-uses to meat pies found in chilled-food aisles,’ said Esa Saukkonen, manager of packaging portfolio development at UPM R&D.

This unique product amplifies the barrier-boosting effect of UPM Solide Lucent and UPM Prego barrier base papers, achieving performance unattainable by the individual components alone. It offers exceptional heat sealability while maintaining barrier protection when folded, making it suitable for flexible packaging. Furthermore, this technology is compatible with conventional LDPE (low-density polyethylene) extrusion coating equipment, requiring no additional capital investment.

According to UPM, traditionally, the challenge of combining extrusion coating with paper lies in the coating's adhesion to the paper, especially with biobased or biodegradable extrusion coatings. The product developed by UPM Specialty Papers and Eastman helps resolve this issue.

‘Through our collaboration with UPM, we've developed versatile fiber-based packaging solutions that are compostable and smoothly integrate with extrusion coating equipment. Eastman Solus additive reduces coating thickness, lowers plastic usage and enables food packaging recyclability. These additives have been pivotal in advancing scalable, sustainable paper packaging for brands,’ said Bhuma Rajagopalan, marketing manager of CASE Innovation at Eastman.

The packaging has been validated for recyclability according to the PTS method (PTS-RH 021/97 cat II), with individual components of the product validated for both home and industrial compostability.