From September 24 to 26, 2024, the European packaging industry will meet at Fachpack. Packaging paper manufacturer Sappi will be showcasing its extensive portfolio of new products from the areas of flexible packaging, wet glue labels, corrugated board and virgin fiber board in Nuremberg. This year's trade fair appearance will be under the motto “Futureproof”. The focus will be on new flexible barrier papers for packaging ice cream or chocolate, for example, as well as wet-strength and alkali-resistant wet-glue label papers for returnable bottles for beer, mineral water and soft drinks.
For more than ten years, the company has been producing a broad portfolio of packaging papers with integrated barriers against oxygen, grease, water vapor, mineral oil and aromas as well as additional heat-sealing properties. These papers offer optimum product protection. The integrated barriers mean that no additional coatings or laminations are required, which meets the current market demand for alternatives to non-recyclable multilayer materials and plastic packaging. At the trade fair, the manufacturer will be presenting the new barrier papers “Guard ICC”, “Guard OHS” and “Guard Twist Gloss”.
Three new barrier papers for food and non-food applications
“Guard ICC” is a packaging paper with a barrier coating on both sides. It was developed for flexible packaging applications where dimensional stability and double-sided protection are required. “Guard ICC” is used in the food sector especially for the packaging of waffle ice cream. It is available in a grammage of 110 grams per square meter. The barrier paper “Guard OHS” has a high oxygen and water vapor barrier. It has been specially developed to meet the requirements of confectionery packaging. In addition, it has integrated heat sealability and therefore meets the requirements for heat and cold sealing. It is suitable for various flexible packaging applications such as flow wraps, bags and sacks for the food and non-food sectors. The third new barrier paper is “Guard Twist Gloss”. The one-side coated paper with a barrier coating on the reverse has been specially developed for twist applications in the confectionery industry. The paper has already achieved very good results in various tests on different packaging machines.
Sappi will also be showcasing its broad portfolio of uncoated and coated flexible packaging papers with outstanding processing properties at Fachpack. For example, the company is presenting its new “Algro Finess C” paper. The coated paper has been specially developed for coffee packaging. It is characterized by a high-quality appearance as well as outstanding printing and processing properties. The new paper also effectively reduces folding and color breaks, which can impair the appearance of the packaging at the POS. Sappi will also be showcasing its wide range of uncoated flexible packaging papers. The matt look and unsurpassed feel of the papers are in line with the trend towards a more natural look and feel for flexible packaging.
New wet glue label paper for returnable bottle applications
“Parade Label WS” is a wet and alkali-resistant wet-glue label paper that achieves outstanding printing and finishing results thanks to its high-quality surface. The glossy paper is available in basis weights of 65 to 80 grams per square meter. A linen-embossed version will also be presented to the public for the first time. “Parade Label WS” has already proven its high labeling performance in various qualifications. At the same time, the excellent printing and finishing results ensure a high shelf impact and brand differentiation. Since the end of last year, Sappi has carried out successful practical tests with selected customers. “Parade Label WS” is produced at the Gratkorn mill in Austria. The paper manufacturer has invested a double-digit million euro amount here in order to expand its label paper business in the long term.
Investing in the future
Sappi has recently made a number of pioneering investments in order to position itself even better for the future. These include, for example, the barrier coating system at the Alfeld mill, the extensive modernization at the Gratkorn site and the commissioning of a second e-boiler at the Maastricht mill. You will find Sappi Europe at Fachpack 2024 in Nuremberg in Hall 4A, Stand 306.
