Packaging Barrier Solutions with U.S. Curbside Recyclability
Appvion's advanced material science expertise and efficient paper coating capabilities deliver barrier performance with curbside package recyclability, addressing the continued market demand for film-free packaging formats.
Appvion's Barrier Performance for Fiber-Based Packaging
A dynamic shift is currently occurring within the consumer packaged goods industry. The combination of consumer demand and regulatory pressure for recyclable packaging is placing a higher demand for fiber-based packaging for products such as pouches, paperboard, or molded fiber. By themselves, fiber packaging inherently will lack the oxygen, moisture, grease, and other barrier performance that comes naturally with polymer-based materials.
However, at Appvion, we leveraged our materials science expertise and extensive knowledge of fiber substrates to develop barriers to meet the needs of consumer packaging. We have decades of experience in not only developing chemistry but also applying them incredibly efficiently on our large paper coating machines with industry leading quality standards. These coatings are perfect for flexible packaging, paperboard packaging, or molded fiber to meet expectations regarding package performance and consumer expectations on curbside recyclability.
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Flexible Packaging
According to The Recycling Partnership’s State of Recycling 2024 report, very few curbside programs accept polymer-based film and flexible material, and less than 1% of the nearly 4.8 million tons generated annually are captured for recycling.
Using functional dispersion coated barrier paper as an alternative substrate enables the package to be protected and accessible to the already robust curbside recycling U.S. infrastructure.
Appvion has developed oxygen, grease/oil, and moisture barriers that, with a heat seal layer, can be efficiently applied to paper to be form-fill-seal capable. With existing high efficient paper coating assets, Appvion can layer these barriers depending on the product’s requirements.
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Paperboard Packaging
If traditional paperboard requires barrier performance, it’s very common for manufacturers to extrude a layer of polymer onto the fiber, which may impact its recyclability and costs.Appvion’s dispersion barrier chemistry is applied efficiently to ensure when the package is recycled the amount of fiber that is recovered is able to meet curbside recycling standards.From plate to tray and everything in between, Appvion has the chemistry to enable efficient processing of paperboard packaging and enhanced barrier performance of oxygen, grease/oil, or moisture. -
Molded Fiber Packaging
Molded fiber is increasingly replacing plastic in a variety of applications, from takeout packaging to coffee lids. Appvion is leading this shift with its patented molded fiber barrier solutions, designed to increase the moisture and grease performance which will enhance durability and functionality.
These patented solutions ensure a better consumer experience while maintaining the compostability and recyclability that molded fiber is known for. Appvion's barrier technology is utilized within current wet or dry molded fiber manufacturing process to support production efficiencies.