Siegwerk launches innovative paper coatings for sustainable circular packaging

GERMANY —Siegwerk, a leading global provider of printing inks and coatings, will introduce a range of innovative paper coatings at the Specialty Papers Europe 2024 event.

These new coatings are designed to enhance the barrier and heat-seal properties of paper packaging while maintaining recyclability, addressing the growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions.

The development of functional paper coatings is driven by the industry’s need to provide essential properties such as water and grease resistance and heat sealability, traditionally achieved using plastic laminates.

Siegwerk’s new CIRKIT range offers water-based coatings that can be applied using standard paper mill processes, marking a significant advancement in sustainable packaging.

“More and more brand owners and manufacturers are turning to renewable and recyclable materials to sustainably pack their products, which has resulted in a growing demand for paper packaging,” said Oliver Waddington, head of Business Development and Circular Economy Coatings at Siegwerk.

“This shift presents the challenge of functionalizing fiber-based materials like paper to meet the barrier and process requirements of packaging applications while ensuring compatibility with the waste paper recycling process.”

Siegwerk’s new range of coatings includes CIRKIT BAR SEAL CT 1420 and CIRKIT BAR SEAL CT 1422, which are multifunctional coatings designed to provide both barrier and heat-seal properties.

These coatings are particularly noteworthy as they achieve these properties without the need for plastic lamination, making them a more sustainable option for packaging solutions.

Another product in the lineup is CIRKIT BAR CT 2513, a coating that offers robust barrier properties against grease and oil.

It is also highly resistant to heat, ensuring that the packaging remains intact under demanding conditions, making it ideal for various applications that require durability and protection.

Finally, Siegwerk introduces CIRKIT NATUBAR CT 4326, a nature-based coating developed with sustainability in mind.

This coating provides effective barrier properties and is compliant with the Single-Use Plastics Directive, further reinforcing Siegwerk’s commitment to environmentally responsible packaging solutions.

These coatings are part of Siegwerk’s broader commitment to sustainable packaging. The company has successfully collaborated with partners on various projects, including developing fiber-based packaging with Packiro and in-line printed paper pouches.

Siegwerk will showcase these new paper coatings and discuss industry trends at this year’s Specialty Papers Europe event, which will be held in Vienna, Austria, from September 3 to 4.

Earlier this month, Siegwerk partnered with Masterpress to launch eco-friendly label solutions. The collaboration led to CIRKIT CLEARPRIME UV E02, the European market’s first full UV flexo deinking system.

This innovative primer technology, designed for non-food packaging applications, offers a validated solution for safely and economically deinking UV-printed self-adhesive labels (PSL).

Improving the recyclability of labelled plastic packaging, it enables the recovery of high-quality recyclates suitable for reuse in non-food packaging applications, addressing the recycling challenges posed by UV inks.

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