UPM Specialty Papers and Eastman introduce paper-based food packaging solution with compostable biobased coating

In Finland, UPM Specialty Papers and Eastman have co-created a novel biopolymer coated paper packaging solution, designed for food applications requiring grease and oxygen barriers. 

The solution integrates Eastman’s biobased and compostable Solus performance additives with BioPBSTM polymer to form a thin coating onto UPM’s compostable and recyclable barrier base papers. The solution is designed for recycling within existing fiber recycling streams, empowering brands to adopt sustainable packaging, UPM Specialty Papers said.

“We are excited to introduce the result of our development work with Eastman. Together with our partners, we are constantly pushing the performance of fiber-based packaging. This new biopolymer coated solution, for example, provides a new option for difficult-to-pack foods ranging from confectionary end-uses to meat pies found in chilled-food aisles,” said Esa Saukkonen, Manager, Packaging Portfolio Development at UPM R&D.

“Through our collaboration with UPM, we’ve developed versatile fiber-based packaging solutions that are compostable and smoothly integrate with extrusion coating equipment. Eastman Solus™ additive reduces coating thickness, which lowers plastic usage and enables recyclability of food packaging. These additives have been pivotal in advancing scalable, sustainable paper packaging for brands,” said Bhuma Rajagopalan, Marketing Manager, CASE Innovation at Eastman.

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