UPM Specialty Papers, a part of UPM, and Finland-based bakery company Fazer have jointly created a new paper-based recyclable packaging option for the latter’s Oat Rice Pies.
Both companies have removed the traditional plastic laminated packaging paper with new paper solution without a plastic lining.
Already available in the chilled food sections of Finnish supermarkets, the new packaging is said to be easy to recycle while maintaining the safety of the rice pies.
The new packaging for Fazer’s Oat Rice Pies aligns with UPM’s Biofore strategy and the Finnish bakery’s Sustainable Packaging Vision.
Developed after more than two years of effort, it has been ensured that the packaging of Oat Rice Pies can be recycled without sacrificing the product’s quality or food safety.
Fazer packaging development director Piia Soininen-Tengvall said: “We are working closely with the packaging value chain to achieve Fazer’s responsible packaging goals. Each partner brings valuable expertise to the development work.
“This project combined Fazer’s expertise in food production and the production process while also ensuring food safety, with UPM Specialty Papers’ expertise in developing demanding specialty papers.”
Traditionally, plastic packaging or plastic laminated to paper surfaces have offered protective qualities to food packaging. The usage of plastic has enabled the packaging for heat-sealing.
The barrier and heat seal qualities are integrated into the packaging paper made by UPM Specialty Papers. UPM Confidio barrier paper has eliminated the need for an additional plastic lamination layer.
The barrier qualities are intended to keep the product inside the container until its best-before date while ensuring that things like grease from the product can’t get through, UPM said.
UPM Specialty Papers sustainability senior manager Susanna Hyrkäs said: “Packaging papers have the advantage of being recyclable within a widely established fibre recycling infrastructure.
“Today, more than 80 percent of the fibre-based packaging material used in Europe is recycled. Our product development is always based on the premise of ensuring recyclability, in addition to ensuring product safety and the required functional properties.”