UPM launches eco-friendly pet food sack

Working in partnership with Fiorini Packaging, the specialist manufacturer of industrial paper sacks, UPM Specialty Papers has co-created a sustainable, fiber-based sack suitable for pet food applications of up to 20kg. Already available to order from Fiorini, a sample of the new sack will be showcased on the UPM Specialty Papers stand at Interpack 2023.

Pet food can be challenging to pack because it has high levels of grease. Standard papers typically used for pet food packaging are unable to offer the required level of grease and moisture resistance. In addition, 20kg pet food sacks need to be strong, creating a need for reinforcement and the possibility to resist external weather conditions. Until now, plastic laminated paper has been usually used to provide the required level of strength and barrier qualities.

Strength with sustainability

'In this partnership with UPM Specialty Papers, we wanted to find a solution without using plastic laminates. The answer came in a unique composition that incorporated our Moistshield technology in a double layer of paper on the inside, supported by an additional UPM AsendoTM Pro barrier paper layer on the outside for grease resistance. This new solution is completely PFAS free; often PFASs – or forever chemicals – are needed to achieve the desired grease barriers,' says Giovanni Fiorini, Fiorini president and CEO.

UPM Asendo Pro is a recyclable, coated two side barrier paper that provides excellent grease resistance in addition to medium moisture resistance and a mineral oil barrier. It is PFAS free and proven to be safe for direct contact with food and is used for a wide range of end-uses, from dry and greasy foods and bakery goods to frozen food packaging.

Developed in its own R&D labs, Fiorini Moistshield is a high-tech solution that offers water-repellent properties without the need for plastic laminates. Moistshield technology has a high surface tension that allows the water to slip away rather than being retained by the paper. This offers two advantages: a greater barrier effect compared to a standard paper sack with plastic film, extending the shelf life of the product inside. Because it is recyclable, it offers a sustainable alternative to conventional solutions.

The power of partnership

The partnership with UPM Specialty Papers opened the opportunity to combine these qualities with the high grease resistance offered by UPM Asendo Pro.

'We realized that, by uniting our technologies, we could create a new paper-based sack that could offer similar levels of moisture and grease resistance as a conventional sack with a plastic laminate layer, or even higher,' explains Marco Tramontano, sales director Italy at UPM Specialty Papers. 'By using UPM Asendo Pro as an additional high grease resistance barrier for the external layer, this innovation has boosted existing MoistShield properties while also offering an excellent print surface.'

The result is a recyclable, fiber-based animal nutrition sack that can be recycled in existing fiber recycling streams while offering the strength and resistance to moisture and grease associated with plastic laminates.

'For us, it is important to work with other innovative leaders in their fields like UPM who not only understand what is possible but also share our DNA when it comes to creating more sustainable concepts,' explains Fiorini. 'We had already developed an effective product against humidity and water. By adding grease-resistance too, we have an opportunity to offer customers a sustainable alternative they may not have even considered before.'