Heidelberg and Solenis to collaborate on paper packaging

Heidelberg and Solenis, a leading manufacturer of specialty chemicals, have announced a collaboration in the field of paper packaging that will be highlighted at Fachpack 2024 in Nuremberg, Germany from 24 to 26 September 2024.

The aim of the agreement is to develop a cost-effective process to integrate barrier coatings for fiber-based packaging directly into the existing web-fed flexo printing process with the new Boardmaster from Heidelberg. Barrier coatings are used to prevent water or water vapor, hot and cold liquids, oils and fats from leaking out of or penetrating into paper packaging. 

“The growing global demand for sustainably produced, cost-effective, recyclable and compostable packaging makes the flexible paper sector an attractive growth market for us,” says David Schmedding, chief technology and sales officer at Heidelberg. “Our new Boardmaster web flexo printing machine, with its production speed of up to 600 meters per minute and an availability of up to 90%, offers the ideal conditions for this. In our collaboration with Solenis, we are aiming for the cost-effective production of packaging solutions for the food industry that are geared towards efficiency and sustainability.”

Visitors to Fachpack 2024, can find out more about the cooperation with Solenis and all other Heidelberg activities in the packaging sector at the company’s stand in Hall 4 Stand  4-246 and talk to Heidelberg experts.

Breakthrough expected for cost-effective barrier coatings

The cost-effective application of barrier coatings plays a key role in the quality and safety of flexible paper packaging. The collaboration between Heidelberg and Solenis is therefore about optimally coordinating the individual components of the web-fed Boardmaster flexo press, the chemical composition of the Solenis barrier coatings and the entire process technology and making them available to packaging producers. 

At the same time, the use of plastics is to be reduced through environmentally friendly alternatives with improved barrier functionality. The overall package should enable customers to expand their range of applications in the flexible paper sector with improved barrier functions. The result is cost-optimized applications that are predominantly reusable, recyclable, renewable and compostable.

“Packaging companies are under increasing pressure to optimize processes while meeting ambitious sustainability goals,” said William Kuecker, senior director, strategic marketing at Solenis. “Our partnership with Heidelberg pushes the boundaries of what is possible for paper packaging manufacturers. With the combination of state-of-the-art printing technology and innovative, high-performance specialty coatings, packaging manufacturers can increase their operational efficiency and product performance while meeting the growing demand for sustainable products and processes.”

Solenis, owned by US headquartered Platinum Equity, is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals focused on delivering sustainable solutions for water-intensive industries, including pulp and paper, institutional, industrial, food and beverage, and pool and spa water markets. 

The company’s product portfolio includes a broad array of water treatment chemistries, process aids, functional additives, cleaners, disinfectants, and state-of-the-art monitoring, control and delivery systems. Both Heidelberg and Solenis are active in the Indian market with the latter supplying its products to several sectors such as water, food and dairy. 

Our take

As the use of paper based cups and containers and food and beverage packaging increases, there is a need not only for grease and water permeability resistance, but also for barrier properties for moisture and oxygen that were in some cases earlier supplied by PE coatings. If these coatings can be water-based and applied during or within the conventional flexo and gravure printing processes, it will add great flexibility and efficiency to the process.

If water-based coatings can reduce or eliminate plastic and aluminum layers in fiber-based packaging of food and beverages, the currently used laminates could be recycled more easily into normal pulping streams.