In the current business environment, sustainability is no longer merely nice to have as its imperative. There is growing pressure on businesses to reduce plastic consumption, minimize overall carbon footprints, and align practices with developing consumer expectations for environmentally focused practices and at the same time produce high quality packaging performance. One innovation that is helping to address this gap is barrier coated paper, a multi use, environmentally friendly replacement to traditional plastics that combines durability, functionality, and sustainability.
Barrier coated papers offer multi functional protection against moisture, greases, and oils in food service, retail, and e-commerce applications, while also being compostable, repulpable and recyclable, which benefits those focusing on performance & environmental stewardship.
Benefits of Barrier Coated Paper
Barrier coated paper combines the functional advantages of coatings with the ecology of fibers.
1. Functionality and Protection
Offers resistance to moisture, grease, and oils to help maintain the freshness and quality of food and other sensitive products.
Increases shelf life through a reduction of oxygen and moisture infiltration, as measured by key performance indicators of OTR (Oxygen Transmission Rate) and WVTR (Water Vapor Transmission Rate).
Works with hot, cold, or liquid products; as well as food carry out containers, retail packaged items, and shipping.
2. Environmentally Sustainable
Products that are sourced from a sustainable supply chain.
Can be composted and repulped for composting, eliminating the need for landfills and keeping recyclable materials out of landfills.
Will assist in creating a circular economy through the replacement of single-use plastics with recyclable products through the continued implementation of recycled materials.
Brand Value
Eco-friendly customers remain loyal to brands that support sustainable product design and packaging practices.
Barrier Coated Paper provides a pathway to building brand equity and brand loyalty.
Technical Insights: Why Barrier Coatings Matter
Barrier coated paper is more than just “eco friendly paper.” The coating type and design impact packaging performance, recyclability, and cost.
Packaging Needs by Industry
Food – includes sandwich wraps, bakery boxes, take out containers, and coffee cup sleeves; products are kept safe when their integrity is preserved by materials that are safe for use as food contact materials.
Retail / Gift Packaging – packaging will protect against mar, wet, or mishandled products. This type of packaging also gives the retailer an opportunity to communicate an environmentally sustainable message about the company and its products to the customer.
Shipping and Logistics – includes the use of mailers, cartons, pallet wraps, and interior protective packaging. Post-consumer (PC) and recycled papers eliminate the use of plastic films that would have ended up in the waste stream and ensures that shipments get to their destinations in good condition.
Food Contact Applications: Compliance Standards and Safety
It is extremely important that any type of food contact application meets all regulatory compliance standards. Examples of these regulations are the following: (i) Indian & International Regulation Standards: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): FSSAI requires that all papers/coating used as food packs are to be pinhole-free, speck-free, greaseless, and suitable for direct contact with food.
IS standards (e.g. IS 6622, IS 7161): IS Standards establish a specification for greaseproof paper, folding box paper, and parchment paper.
International: EU and US regulations specify limits on migration for coatings, inks and additives.
- Best Practice Considerations for Manufacturers and Brands
- Use materials that are food grade and suitable for food contact.
- Test or evaluate uniformity, thickness, and adhesion of the coating.
- Performing migration and safety tests through a NABL accredited laboratory.
- Monitor updates in BIS draft standards and upcoming regulations.
Water-based coatings (also called barrier Papers) cost more than traditional plastic-coated papers. However, they offer the following long-term benefits: Lower spoilage (and return) rates of products made with Water based barrier coated papers. Lower compliance costs (fines associated with recalls).
A higher perceived value for the brand and customer loyalty.
Better recyclability and lower environmental footprint.
In many cases, using a life cycle approach indicates that barrier coated paper is a cost effective option after factoring in environmental and performance aspects.
A Few Examples of Real-World Applications Include
Food Chains – The use of fully-composite paper wrappers and an outside coating were used to reduce excess packaging while maintaining the integrity of the end product. This application also has the additional benefit of reducing landfill waste through sustainable sources.
Retail – The use of coated paper in gift boxes protects the product from moisture and provides a more eco-friendly option for consumers concerned about environmental issues.
E-Commerce – Paper made from recycled materials was used for sample inserts and shipping boxes to provide protection to products while still being recyclable.
FAQs
1. Can Biodegradable Paper Be Used as a Strong Shipping Material? The answer is yes—when a biodegradable paper has been treated with suitable barrier coatings it will provide strength and moisture resistance during shipment.
2. Will Barrier Coated Paper Be Environmentally Friendly After Use? The answer will depend on the composition used to create the barrier coating but most barrier coated paper can be recycled completely or can be reconstituted/repulped for a new use.
3. How Do Compostable Packaging Products Work?
Compostable packaging will decompose naturally in compost-friendly conditions into nutrient-rich material that is much less harmful for landfills than other products.
To Summarize: Steps Towards Sustainable Solutions.
Barrier-coated paper delivers the ultimate blend of protection, performance, and environmental responsibility. Through the identification of the properties of barrier-coated papers and the identification and testing of coating types based upon an examination of their barriers and evaluation of their life cycle costs, end users of barrier-coated papers whether they be food manufacturers, packaging manufacturers or end-user consumers will be able to choose packaging solutions that provide active, safe, effective, and sustainable packaging choices, while at the same time reducing the environmental impacts associated with these materials.
Are You Ready For The Next Level? – Is your packaging sustainable and compliant? Let Evergreen Sustainable take you on the road to finding the best sustainable and innovative solutions for your packaging needs. Our professional staff will work with you to find materials, perform testing of these materials for you, and conduct application evaluations. We will assist in developing the most innovative and sustainable packaging solutions for your products.
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Reinventing Sustainable Packaging with Barrier Coated Paper
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Discover how barrier coated paper enables sustainable, plastic-free packaging for food, retail, and logistics with high performance and recyclability.