UPM Specialty Materials and Paramelt have entered into a collaboration to introduce a compostable food packaging solution aimed at improving sustainability outcomes in food applications. The newly developed concept is based on paper combined with bio-based materials, designed to deliver grease resistance while supporting improved end-of-life performance. The solution targets use cases across bakery items, fast food, and on-the-go food segments.
At the core of the development is the integration of UPM’s barrier base papers with Paramelt’s bio-based heat-seal and barrier coating technologies. The companies state that the resulting material meets required grease resistance and seal strength standards for food packaging. In addition, each component used in the structure has been independently verified as suitable for home composting. Paramelt’s packaging coatings and adhesives business development manager Leon Krings commented: Brand owners and converters are seeking scalable technologies that integrate easily into current production setups. Aquavate Bio SB 2383 is a bio-based and biodegradable coating designed for reliable performance on standard coating processes and existing converting lines, enabling a practical shift toward recyclable, home compostable fibre-based solutions.
The structure uses UPM Solide Lucent or UPM Prego papers as base materials, both engineered specifically for barrier coating applications. These are paired with Paramelt’s Aquavate Bio SB 2383, a water-based, fully biodegradable coating. The finished compostable food packaging material is intended to provide protection for a wide product range, from dry snacks to grease-intensive food items. The collaboration also demonstrates compatibility with existing packaging infrastructure, including vertical form fill seal (VFFS) lines, supported by the low coating weights enabled by UPM’s paper technology. UPM innovation senior researcher Christiane Laine said: Our collaboration with Paramelt enables us to offer a biobased packaging concept with strong grease protection and proven performance on packaging lines. Achieving this level of grease resistance at such low coat weights is highly challenging even with fossil-based coatings, and the combined concept of our barrier base paper properties and Paramelt’s bio-based coating delivers exceptional performance.
Separately, earlier this month, UPM Specialty Materials expanded its offering in the US market by adding Forte precoating technology to its SCK release base paper products. The addition is intended to support silicone coaters and labelstock producers in enhancing operational efficiency and better managing production costs.