Wipak is set to launch a paper wrap for butter that is kerbside recyclable within the paper waste stream once it has been cleaned, while offering a reduced carbon footprint compared to traditional alternatives.
Wipak says that the new butter wraps are made from renewable FSC-certified paper, are aluminium free, and feature advanced, ultra-thin natural coatings with reportedly “excellent” oxygen and water vapour barrier properties, as well as grease resistance, compared to standard paper.
Keith Gater, UK technical development manager at Wipak, explains: “Most butter wraps in the UK market are made of parchment paper or a grease-resistant paper which is commonly made into composite laminates with aluminum and polyethylene.
“Although made from renewable resources, coated parchment papers do not promote a circular economy as they’re not easily recyclable.”
“Unlike existing butter wraps on the market which are complex material structures, our consumer-friendly paper solution is fully recyclable within the kerbside paper and cardboard waste stream once it has been cleaned.
“What’s more, it maintains the look and feel of a traditional butter wrap, can be fully printed with brand imagery, and runs on existing butter wrap machinery.”
Wipak adds that the paper butter wrap passed shelf-life trials following packaging on automated wrapping lines and scored an A+ rating in recycling tests based on CEPI’s laboratory method carried out by the BioComposites Centre at Bangor University.
Gater continues: “This classification is the highest possible score that can be achieved for paper recycling efficiency, whereby the pulp recovery must be a minimum of 98.5%.
“Our wrap is also compliant with UK-set guidelines for claiming paper recyclability, which require a minimum paper content of 85%.”
According to Wipak, its paper butter wrap also offers a 68% carbon reduction when compared to aluminum, LDPE, or paper barrier alternatives.
Gater concludes: “With growing pressure from consumers, brands and retailers need to take decisive action with disruptive sustainable packaging solutions that challenge traditional methods.
“Solutions like Wipak UK’s butter wrap will not only have significant environmental benefits, but will help to keep brands relevant in an increasingly competitive market.”
Earlier this year, Wipak announced a partnership with HKScan and Woodly to develop a new type of plastic based on wood cellulose that can apparently be recycled in existing waste streams, which will be used for selected sausage packages this summer. Wipak is aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025.
Wipak says that customers can find out more about the butter wrap solution by visiting it at stand A94 at the Packaging Innovations Birmingham trade show between 25th and 26th of May 2022.
No comments yet