UPM Specialty Materials and Felix Schoeller, a specialty paper manufacturer, have developed a customizable recyclable* barrier solution designed specifically for flexible food packaging, such as chocolate and snack bars. In response to the growing demand for recyclable packaging, this food-safe, fibre-based solution supports the packaging industry’s transition toward upcoming recyclability requirements under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

As brand owners face diverse packaging needs, the collaboration addresses varying end-use requirements by offering customizable levels of barrier protection. Based on UPM SolideTM Lucent packaging paper, Felix Schoeller has created a barrier concept that can be tailored to the specific performance requirements of different products.

“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,” explains 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,” says Markus Kamphuis, Technical Sales Manager, UPM Specialty Materials.

UPM Solide Lucent packaging paper is designed for easy converting. The paper features an exceptionally smooth and dense surface. This allows for lower coating weights while still delivering the strength needed for reliable performance on high-speed production lines. A range of grammages is available to match specific application requirements.

UPM’s and Felix Schoeller’s solution will be on display at UPM Specialty Materials’ stand F29, Hall 8A at Interpack, Düsseldorf, Germany, May 7-13.

* Recyclability is assessed using the standard CEPI version 3 (Feb. 2025) and evaluated according to 4evergreen evaluation protocol scorecard version 2.0 (Jan. 2025).