Henkel widens paper coatings portfolio with water-based barrier, heat-seal solutions for recyclable packaging

USA – Henkel Adhesive Technologies has widened its paper coatings offering with water-based barrier and heat-seal products for paper packaging, designed to improve performance of paper-based packs while supporting design for recycling efforts in applications where plastic has commonly been used.

The new coatings target paper packaging with sealed joins such as bags, sachets, and mailing packs for small goods including screws and toys, as well as packaging for dry food and hygiene items.

On appropriate paper grades, the coatings allow sealing through heat and are designed to work at lower temperatures on fast production lines.

Henkel confirmed the coatings are repulpable, suitable for recycling systems, and cleared for food contact under US and EU regulations.

The company also offers a version with a UV tracer for application checks and quality control.

Barrier Protection Without Plastic

The barrier coatings help protect packaged paper contents from grease, water, and moisture, depending on the application, while also supporting heat sealing.

Henkel said such coatings can extend the use of paper into areas that have often relied on plastic or multi-layer composite materials.

The portfolio has been expanded and adjusted to meet demand for both primary and secondary packaging applications. According to the company, the products can be used within standard coating and packaging operations and are repulpable and suitable for recycling.

Supporting the Shift Under PPWR

Arianna Savini, market strategy manager for paper packaging at Henkel Adhesive Technologies Europe, explained that with the expanded paper coatings portfolio, the company enables paper-based packaging that is ready for current market demands.

She noted that by providing necessary barrier and sealing properties for numerous applications in the food and non-food sectors, Henkel is not only supporting the shift toward recyclable packaging solutions but also helping customers achieve their sustainability targets within the scope of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.

The PPWR mandates that all packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable by 2030, with specific design for recycling criteria that penalize hard-to-recycle formats.

Coatings that complicate repulping or contaminate fiber streams can disqualify paper packaging from meeting these requirements, making repulpable, recyclable-friendly coatings essential for compliance.

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