Demand is up for coated paper packaging: form-fill-seal packs, stand-up pouches, and single-use food packs. The point is source reduction. Less package weight, less waste, and a construction that can be coated instead of laminated to a film that will not repulp.
Flexible packs already run a high product-to-package ratio. The hard part is barrier and heat seal without a multi-layer plastic stack (PE, EVOH, PET) that cannot be separated at end of life. Paper is preferred when the coating can handle moisture, grease, and oxygen well enough for the shelf life.
Coatings instead of extra film layers
Water-based heat-seal and barrier coatings can replace a thicker extruded polyolefin layer, often at a lower coat weight. Paper usually needs a double bump so the film is continuous and pin-hole free. Grade and coat weight depend on smoothness, porosity, and holdout. Cobb, dye stain, oil/grease resistance, MVTR, and OTR are the checks.
Stock barrier coating grades
- 8244D — workhorse water, vapor, and oil resistance; runnability even when pigmented
- 8244E — firmer, better block resistance; more water resistance, less oil resistance than 8244D
- 8861 — cost-effective when water resistance matters more than oil
- 8768 — balance of MVTR, Cobb, and oil/grease resistance; block resistance and gloss
- 8769 — acrylic for oil and grease resistance; good Cobb, block resistance, gloss
- 8242 — halogen-free OTR helper when sandwiched between a vapor barrier such as 8244E
- 8437 — primer on treated polypropylene so barrier coatings can run on polyolefin film
Select grades can be formulated to meet FDA and EU food-contact compliance requirements for paper packaging. Confirm the spec for the structure you run. Heat seals are sensitive to substrate and sealing conditions.
Related products: Heat seal and barrier coatings · Heat seal adhesive · Barrier coatings · Heat seal coatings for lidding
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