Billerud’s new heat-sealable paper intends to serve as a fossil-free, low-carbon and recyclable alternative to plastic packaging without requiring major adjustments to existing machinery.
As upcoming regulations crack down on single-use plastic packaging, ConFlex HeatSeal is designed to fit seamlessly into existing machinery and production lines; Billerud clarifies that ‘some adjustments’ may be required, but insists that high investments are not necessary.
It describes the solution’s sealing performance as ‘strong’ and notes its ‘premium’ look and feel, which apparently ‘mak[es] sustainability a visible part of the product experience’.
The paper can also be fully recycled in existing recycling systems, having scored 18 out of 20 points in testing conducted by the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI). As such, it is anticipated to cut down on waste, keep valuable materials in the loop, and contribute to a circular economy.
According to Billerud, ConFlex HeatSeal has already been applied to bedding products by a major Swedish furniture brand; now it is anticipated to expand into industrial and hygiene packaging applications.
“With ConFlex HeatSeal, we offer a commercially viable, heat-sealable paper that supports businesses to transition away from plastic,” says Robert Torstensson, vice president Business Area Paper at Billerud. “It delivers strong sealing performance and recyclability within existing paper recovery systems and works within slightly modified converting processes where Billerud provides transition support.
“It’s great to see how we live our purpose to make high performance packaging materials for a low carbon society through innovation.”
A similar development was unveiled by UPM Specialty Papers and Unipaco last year; their recyclable, heat-sealable wrapper for salad and herb pots were designed to meet German 95/5 mono-material requirements, with single-component materials thought to account for 95% of the packaging mass.
Like ConFlex HeatSeal, Mondi’s expandable paper bag, Protector Bag ExpandForm, was applied to rollpacked mattresses from Megaflex Schaumstoff to replace conventional plastics.
Billerud previously revealed a surface-treated paper made of virgin fibre, intended for cold seal coating applications in the medical sector – this includes plaster packaging and wrapping for single-use gloves.
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