UPM Specialty Materials and Felix Schoeller have jointly developed a fibre-based barrier solution designed for flexible food packaging applications, including chocolate and snack bars. The development addresses increasing demand for recyclable packaging and aligns with anticipated requirements under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
The solution is based on UPM Solide Lucent packaging paper and incorporates barrier coatings developed by Felix Schoeller. It is designed to provide adjustable levels of protection depending on product requirements, including resistance to oxygen, moisture and grease, as well as sealing and mechanical performance.
“We always start with the customers’ needs. Instead of relying on fixed technologies or standard barrier levels, we design customizable coating solutions that deliver the protection required – whether against oxygen, moisture, grease, or for sealing and mechanical performance. UPM Solide Lucent has proven to be an excellent base material for this. It runs reliably on our coating lines, offers well-balanced mechanical performance, and delivers outstanding printability. This enables solutions that truly protect what matters,” said Andreas Bergmeier, Head of Innovation & Technical Sales Packaging, Felix Schoeller.
“Flexible food packaging is evolving quickly, and brand-owners need solutions that deliver both high-performance barrier protection and recyclability. Our collaboration with Felix Schoeller demonstrates how UPM Solide Lucent can be adapted to different end-uses, enabling fully fibre-based packaging concepts that are ready for tomorrow’s regulatory expectations,” said Markus Kamphuis, Technical Sales Manager, UPM Specialty Materials.
The base paper is designed for converting processes and features a smooth, dense surface that supports lower coating weights while maintaining strength for high-speed production. A range of grammages is available for different applications. The solution will be presented at Interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf.