As part of our Finalist Interview series ahead of the Sustainability Awards, we spoke to UPM about its paper chocolate packaging for the Panda brand, produced in collaboration with Orkla Suomi and nominated in the Commercialized Renewable Materials category.
You’re a finalist in the Sustainability Awards 2025. Congratulations! To start off, could you summarize your entry, in less than 50 words?
UPM Specialty Papers and Orkla Suomi have piloted a new paper wrapper for Panda Milk chocolate. During a six-month pilot period, the new wrappers replaced traditionally used PP plastic wrappers. The recyclable paper wrapper does not contain additional plastic layer.
Why do you think the judges were impressed with your entry? Tell us about what is innovative about your project and/or about its impact on packaging sustainability.
Chocolate can be a challenging product to package in paper, due to its relatively high grease level. The new type of wrapper piloted for Panda Milk Chocolate is based on UPM Asendo Pro 75 g/m2 barrier paper, which according to 4evergreen definition is made of 100% paper.
Traditionally, plastic or a paper-plastic laminate has been used in packaging to guarantee shelf-life, ensure food protection and to keep grease from penetrating the package material.
Thanks to the in-built barrier protection provided by UPM Asendo Pro packaging paper, no additional plastic layer is required. UPM Asendo Pro has been validated as recyclable (PTS method RH 021/97, cat II) in existing fibre recycling streams, which are widely available to consumers in Europe.
Finally, can you tell us about the ongoing development of your project, e.g. how your innovation/initiative has been received by the industry, or what the next steps are in commercialization/product development?
During a six-month pilot period, the new wrappers replaced traditionally used PP plastic wrappers. In August, Orkla Finland will move the project into an evaluation phase, during which the feedback and experiences gathered will be reviewed and analyzed. Orkla Suomi’s target is to increase the share of renewable packaging materials without compromising recyclability.
The winners of the Sustainability Awards 2025 will be announced at the Sustainable Packaging Summit, taking place in Utrecht on 10-12 November. The Summit mobilizes leaders of the FMCG value chain, policymakers, NGOs, recyclers and investors to collaborate, remove barriers and identify opportunities on the road to sustainable transformation.
To learn more or register, visit: https://www.packagingsummit.earth/2025
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