The primary requirements for these applications are typically oil and grease barriers, and moisture barriers. These specialized barrier properties are not inherently present in paper structures, but by engineering the production processes and additives used, paper can clearly exhibit these properties and enable barrier coatings to work more effectively.
Ahlstrom is the global leader in fiber-based specialty materials, and their purpose is to Purify and Protect Every single Fiber for a Sustainable World. Ahlstrom serves five growing and distinctive end-markets which form the basis for its five divisions: Food and Consumer Packaging, Healthcare, Filtration, Building Materials, and Technical Materials. Sustainability, innovation, and quality are all central in their solutions, from compostable and recyclable food and beverage packaging materials, to protective medical fabrics.
Today, consumers and brand owners are demanding more sustainable solutions that reduce their impact on the environment and have a positive end-of-life product story (recyclability, compostability, and biodegradation as examples). Ahlstrom has a specific philosophy around this journey of innovating more sustainable products. This is Ahlstrom’s ‘from Plastic to Purpose’ journey and this campaign is raising awareness regarding the possibility of fiber-based solutions as a renewable packaging options.
Making a difference
Small fibers can make a big difference, and a key focus area remains on utilizing fibers and other renewable materials to develop replacement solutions for current non-renewable packaging, such as plastics and films. Ahlstrom has a unique set of capabilities and a wide breadth of technical applications, to allow it to develop some of the strongest performing base-papers available. Highly developed base-papers are key to solving the barrier requirements in flexible packaging, whilst still utilizing the inherent product’s end-of-life benefits that paper provides.
Paper is an ideal material for flexible packaging applications, and already has a broad field-of-use from good flexibility and folding characteristics to print-ability. Paper is easily sealable and glue-able, laminating well to other structures. In addition, paper functions effectively through the challenging converting processes.
Meeting re-generation goals
Manufacturers, brand owners, and consumers all have their own individual requirements concerning sustainability and regeneration goals. Paper packaging can meet these specific goals and be customized to the end-use objective. Ahlstrom is ready to work with partners who are aligned with our goals and guiding principles to secure a more sustainable future.
For more information about Ahlstrom’s barrier technology, advancements and their ‘from Plastic to Purpose’ initiative, visit: https://bit.ly/BoundlessBarriers