Paper Technology International 2024 - Journal - Page 107
PAPERTECHNOLOGYINTERNATIONAL
barriers
SSustainable oil &forgrease
paper packaging
Jorge Mayer, Global Head of R&D, Packaging & Coatings, Archroma
Gilles Le Moigne, Global Marketing Director, Packaging & Coatings, Archroma
INTRODUCTION:
Current and pending packaging regulations and heightened consumer sensitivity to environmental impact are pushing the packaging
market to reduce the utilization of plastic. In many cases, paper packaging is the alternative of choice, however there are some limitations of
traditional paper packaging as a replacement for plastic. When transitioning from plastic to paper, it is important to provide effective barrier
solutions in striking a balance between sustainability and functionality.
The key requirements for paper barrier solutions in packaging are recyclability, compostability, food compliance, and performance
in end application such as water, oil and grease barrier for food packaging. Understanding these requirements is crucial in developing
effective sustainable solutions.
The highest performing coatings on the market are based on per 昀氀uorinated compounds (PFC’s) or are solvent based; thus, there is
an imperative to develop sustainable chemistries.
In the following article we will show how we applied our years of experience in the paper industry with our extensive formulations
knowledge to create a new solution developed for oil barrier application to address this challenge.
Key Words: Sustainable Packaging, Paper Barrier, Oil &
Grease Barrier, Water-based coatings, Bio-based coatings
In this article we will focus on speci昀椀c barrier
needs, with a particular emphasis on oil and grease
resistance. We will introduce our groundbreaking waterbased non 昀氀uoro based alternative as an exemplary
solution that balances enhanced functionality with reduced
environmental impact.
Transitioning to Water-based Alternatives for Oil and
Grease Resistance:
The packaging industry is making considerable
effort to reduce its dependence on oil-based coating
materials; eliminating PFAS in barrier coatings; and
diminishing the use of solvents in coating production.
Around 40% of the total volume of functional
and barrier coatings on paper and board packaging
applications is used on packaging food for human
consumption but we notice an increasing usage in pet-food and nonfood applications. As a consequence, the total demand for barrier
coating will grow at around 4.8% in the coming years.¹
The foodservice, fresh food and bakery segments are the
top ones requiring alternatives to existing packaging solutions for
fast food snacks, sandwich wraps, paperboard trays for fresh food,
such as meat, 昀椀sh and cheese.
The best coating solutions available today for oil and
grease barrier are based on per 昀氀uorinated compounds (PFC).
As companies are looking to transition away from PFC materials,
more environmentally friendly water-based alternatives are needed.
Archroma has been working on improving the performance of their
benchmark water based barrier and has launched a new solution
providing better oil and grease resistance: Cartaseal® OGB F10.
One important characteristic of this new coating is that it contains
some bio-based components.
GREASE RESISTANCE - KIT TEST unfolded
This is a major element of our innovation strategy: moving
towards fully biodegradable solution, but we believe that it must not
be detrimental to the performances and functionalities associated
with traditional barrier coating.
We have developed this coating knowing that it will be
applied by converters but also directly by paper mills which are
investing heavily in this technology.
The graph above shows the performance of Cartaseal®
OGB F10 compared to two other coatings produced by Archroma:
Cartaguard KST, which is a 昀氀uoro based coating and Cartaseal®
VWF, a versatile paper barrier. Kit test run according to TAPPI
Test Method T559. The higher the value, the higher the grease
resistance.
As shown on this lab study Cartaseal® OGB F10 is a very
good alternative to Fluoro based coatings as it provides a very high
KIT performance with very low coat weight.
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