UPM x Michelman: co-creating a new generation of high barrier, heat sealable packaging

UPM Specialty Papers x Michelman

How co-creation powers your purpose

Michelman and UPM wanted to help brands meet their future packaging ambitions by finding solutions that replace multi-layer and difficult-to-recycle solutions with paper-based alternatives.
Three exciting new solutions are proven and ready for adoption by converters, including a ground breaking concept that achieves high oxygen and moisture barriers with water-based coatings.
The high-barrier solution is suitable for demanding end-uses such as chocolate and coffee.

Aiming high for a new set of paper-based packaging solutions with enhanced barrier properties

As global regulation become more demanding, brands and converters are looking for new sustainable alternatives to achieve their future packaging ambitions.

UPM Specialty Papers has united its expertise with Michelman , the leading developer of next-generation water-based barrier coatings for packaging, to develop three innovative fibre-based, packaging solutions that are now ready for use by converters, including:

A high-barrier solution with heat-seal functionality for demanding end-uses such as coffee and chocolate
A solution with enhanced water vapour and grease barrier properties ideal for inner liners, for example.
A heat-sealable solution with enhanced barrier properties perfectly suited to products such as frozen foods.

All structures are designed to meet stringent standards for food contact, shelf life, and recyclability.

Download co-creation guides

High barrier protection for demanding end-uses

One of the most exciting results of the partnership is a high barrier packaging material that combines good oxygen and moisture vapour barriers with heat-sealability, making it ideal for demanding products such as chocolate and even coffee.

High-barrier protection typically involves complex, multi-layer packaging structures or paper-plastic laminates that are difficult to recycle. However, the new concept is based on a unique pairing of UPM Solide™ Lucent barrier base papers and Michelman’s Michem^® Flex B 1002 and Michem^® Flex HS 9105 water-based barrier coatings. The packaging structure is finished with Michelman’s VaporCoat^® 1300 Overprint Varnish (OPV), designed to protect the packaging even in tropical conditions. This level of oxygen and moisture barrier has never before been achieved with water-based coatings.

In addition to impressive barrier properties, low temperature heat sealability has been achieved over a wide sealing window on a vertical form fill seal (VFFS) packaging line.

This level of oxygen and moisture barrier has never before been achieved with water-based coatings.

The solution is based on UPM Solide Lucent™ barrier base paper, which is food safe, compostable, and recyclable in existing fibre recycling streams. Smooth, strong and extremely versatile, it is has proven to be especially suitable as a coating base and for lamination.

UPM barrier papers and Michelman solutions are tested recyclable (according to e.g. PTS-RH 021/97 cat II).

“UPM's papers provide a perfect foundation for our water-based barrier and heat seal coatings. Working closely with them for many years has allowed our combined team to increase the performance threshold of fibre-based substrates while maintaining recyclability. These new solutions will allow the market to accelerate its transition to more sustainable packaging,” says Thierry Van Migem, Sales Director, EMEA, Michelman

“We are very excited about the possibilities these three concepts co-created with Michelman can offer to brands and converters to replace multi-material packaging structures that are difficult to recycle. Collaborations such as these are crucial for innovating new, recyclable fibre-based packaging solutions,” says Esa Saukkonen Manager, Packaging Portfolio Development, UPM.

Barrier properties ideal for frozen foods

A second innovation offers superior barrier properties ideal for frozen foods. The concept is based on a highly effective combination of either UPM Asendo™ or UPM Asendo™ Pro barrier papers and Michelman’s next generation heat-sealable barrier coatings.

A new solution for inner liners

A third breakthrough solution has significantly boosted resistance to water vapour and grease. Michelman’s high performing VaporCoat® 2240 coating serves to enhance the existing barrier properties of UPM Asendo™ and UPM Asendo™ Pro papers, making the concept particularly suitable for inner liners in end-uses such as corrugated cardboard boxes.

You can now download the co-creation guides for all three concepts. The guides provide detailed insights into how to combine Michelman’s chemistry with UPM’s papers.