FMN | January 30th, 2023

Retailers and major FMCG companies have signed commitments to make their packaging portfolios more sustainable, according to the report. Paperboard and other fibre formats are readily understood to be recyclable by con- sumers, making these an increasingly popular option. This trend is being supported by official commitments to phase-out single-use plastics; with more jurisdictions copying legislation pioneered in the EU, France, and California. In Development Smithers examines current fibre-based packag- ing design, including profiles of the latest paper- board formats that are being developed to replace single-use polymer packs for food, personal care goods, and beverages. This is posing direct techni- cal challenges. • In food there is a need to develop superior func- tional barrier coatings that can protect fibre mate- rials from grease, oil, and water, while preserving perishable goods, said the report. This has led to many paper converters launching new specialty bar- rier paper grades for use in pouch packaging and food-service applications. These are already gaining traction in segments like fresh produce and confec- Fibre-Based Packaging (Cont’d from Page 1)

tionery; greater diversification will happen as further improvements are made in coating performance; • In beverages, liquid paperboard manufacturers are experimenting with steps like removing alumi- num barrier layers, and high-profile brands – in- cluding Absolut, Carlsberg, and Unilever (Lenor) – have tested fibre-based bottles. Both approaches still rely on polymer-based barrier layers and the emphasis is to design these to be easy to remove in existing material recovery streams, without damag- ing the recovered fibres; • For personal care goods, there is a parallel trend to develop fibre-based packaging materials that can replicate the premium look and feel of existing polymer formats; •Industrial and transit packaging is also using more fibre-based alternatives, especially in protec- tive components and dunnage in direct-to-consum- er e-commerce channels. While innovation will lead to incremental gains for all fibre packaging types across the next five years, one of the strongest growth trajectories is forecast for moulded pulp/fibre, said the report. Multiple line expansions are underway to meet the demand for a more sustainable alternative to thermoformed plastics, employing new coatings and faster pro- duction technology.

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Flexo Market News January 30, 2023 3

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