
Mondi, a global provider in packaging and paper, is expanding its range of medium, high, and very high-barrier paper-based packaging to support customers on their journey to use more sustainable packaging solutions.
According to the company, with research and development activities, expertise in both paper and plastic as well as investments in new technology and increased capacity, the company has further evolved its portfolio and now offers a full range of FunctionalBarrier Papers to customers. By applying different barrier technologies, such as extrusion coatings, aqueous coatings, and other very high barriers, this range of paper-based packaging solutions is fit for purpose and can be used for a variety of applications.
The medium barrier solution, designed for industrial, eCommerce, and personal care packaging, offers high sealability and medium water vapor protection, while the high barrier functional paper offers a medium oxygen and water vapor barrier, as well as a high grease and mineral oil barrier for frozen foods and chocolates. The very high barrier solution, for consumer food products such as coffee, cereals, and confectionery, provides excellent product protection from water vapor and oxygen and ensures a long shelf life, the company says.
A benefit of Mondi’s integrated value chain, the production of the FunctionalBarrier Paper range is done entirely in-house. Designed to be recyclable in paper streams across Europe and using responsibly sourced base material, the solutions offer renewable alternatives to plastic laminates and multi-material aluminum-based packaging.
Thomas Ott, CEO of Flexible Packaging, Mondi, says, “We live by our approach of using paper where possible and plastic when useful. Our range of FunctionalBarrier Paper is a perfect example of this. There is more than one way for our customers to achieve their sustainability goals and our unique market position and value chain means we can tailor our solutions to meet their needs. We develop packaging solutions that are sustainable by design while still providing the necessary protection for their products. This is in line with our Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030) commitment to make all our packaging solutions reusable, recyclable, and compostable.
FunctionalBarrier Paper at a glance
Mondi’s Functional Barrier Paper is a range of paper-based packaging with tailored barrier properties that is said to reduce the amount of plastic used and provides moisture and vapor-proof packaging. The range is designed to be recyclable in paper streams across Europe and is made from the responsibly-sourced base paper.
The barrier levels are customized to the product requirements and are available as follows:
Medium barrier
This range offers great sealability and a medium water vapor barrier. FunctionalBarrier Paper with a medium barrier offers a wide range of custom barrier properties for key applications such as; fresh, frozen and dried foods, food service packaging, personal care products and packaging for eCommerce applications as well as for industrial uses like cement bags.
High barrier
High Barrier FunctionalBarrier Paper offers a medium barrier to oxygen and water vapor and a high grease and mineral oil barrier. This range is designed to reduce the amount of packaging material needed. It can be used as packaging for frozen foods and ice cream, dried foods, chocolate and other snack bars, food service, home, and personal care products, as well as other applications such as packaging tape.
Very high barrier
This FunctionalBarrier Paper is used for food applications, such as dried foods and mixes, coffee, cereals, and muesli bars, as well as powdered milk, where the highest barrier is required to ensure freshness and long shelf life. It has excellent barrier protection functions against water vapor and oxygen. It is used as a substitute to the current industry standard packaging for a high level of barrier protection, which is frequently made of multi-materials such as plastic and aluminum and is non-recyclable.