In a market environment that demands ever better performance and sustainability from packaging, research on cartonboard and on renewable and ecological material plays a crucial role.
Paper and cartonboard are consumers’ preferred packaging materials and several brand owners have committed to eliminating unnecessary plastic by 2025 and choosing 100% recyclable, compostable and reusable packaging.
“More and more Italian companies are investing in sustainable technologies and products, and cellulose packaging is an important component of this strategic approach that must guarantee the technical performance of conservation and resistance, without affecting the natural recyclability of cellulose fiber.”
Comieco, National Consortium regarding recovery and recycling of cellulose-based packaging
Paper, without proper treatments, is a hydrophilic material (meaning, that absorbs water) and with reduced gases, oils and greases barrier properties. The Cobb test and the Wick test are two tests that are performed specifically to calculate the water absorption capacity from the surface (Cobb test) or along the edges (Wick test).
The needs of the circular economy and product and consumer safety do not always meet, but the requirements of both should always be considered when designing packaging.
Therefore, in order to be able to aim to replace some types of packaging currently made of other materials, including plastic, it is necessary to increase their barrier properties thanks to additional layers, without neglecting the process requirements that are essential for effective industrial scale use.
Paper and cartonboard are able to fit within this framework thanks to the addition of barrier, which then gives the cartonboard the so-called barrier property against gases, oils and greases.
Among the products in the ProntoPack portfolio, MetsäBoard Prime FBB EB is the perfect barrier cartonboard to replace some types of packaging that until now involved plastic.
MetsäBoard Prime EB is actually a dispersion coated barrier cartonboard with a medium barrier against grease and moisture. It’s lightweight and can be recycled in paper or cartonboard waste streams according to local recycling schemes.
MetsäBoard Prime FBB EB is the brightest OBA-free board on the market, with excellent printability. It is made without fluorochemicals and optical brighteners (OBA) making it suitable for direct food contact globally. In addition, it is biodegradable and can be composted industrially and at home.
The advantages of using a cartonboard product instead of its plastic equivalent are many:
- It removessingle-use waste and reduces pollution
- It keeps products and materials in use
- It regenerates natural systems thanks to virgin fibers.
Discover all the features of MetsäBoard Prime EB!
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