Stora Enso is expanding its range of fibre-based packaging materials by introducing new dispersion barrier materials for paper cups and food packaging.
The company says that its new barrier solution responds to market demands for eco-friendly, renewable and recyclable packaging materials to replace plastics in foodservice applications.
The new dispersion barriers, Aqua and Aqua+, are reportedly fluorochemical-free and used to produce paperboard for cups and foodservice packaging without the traditional plastic layer. Aqua is grease resistant while Aqua+ is both liquid and grease resistant.
“The new barriers are aimed at retailers and brand owners who want to improve the recyclability of their food packaging to meet the demands of eco-conscious consumers. The materials are suitable for paper cups, ice cream packaging and fast, frozen and dry food packaging,” says Ebba Mannheimer, Head of Business, New Barrier Solutions, Division Packaging Materials at Stora Enso.
Stora Enso says that all of its boards are made of sustainably sourced, renewable wood fibre. The surface of the Aqua products is finished with water-based dispersion technology, enabling the board to be liquid and grease resistant while apparently breaking down in a recycling process like paper, reportedly providing the highest fibre recovery and value in recycling.
Stora Enso offers two different baseboards with the dispersion barrier. CKB Nude AquaStora is a natural brown kraft board for short-contact food packaging applications, including fast food and dry food. Cupforma Natura Aqua+ is a material for paper cups, available with a dispersion barrier on one side for hot drinks or on two sides for cold drinks and ice cream packaging. The materials can be printed and converted on existing machine lines.
