UPM Specialty Materials and Paramelt have collaborated to develop a new bio-based, paper-based food packaging concept designed to enhance both performance and sustainability.
The solution offers strong grease resistance along with improved end-of-life characteristics, making it well suited for applications such as bakery items, fast food, and convenience packaging.
The concept combines UPM’s advanced barrier base papers with Paramelt’s bio-based heat-seal and barrier coating technology. This integration results in a recyclable paper-based packaging solution that meets the functional requirements of food applications, including grease protection and effective sealing. Notably, the individual components have also been validated as home compostable.
According to Christiane Laine, Senior Researcher at UPM Innovation, achieving high grease resistance at low coating weights is particularly challenging—even with fossil-based materials. However, the synergy between UPM’s barrier paper technology and Paramelt’s bio-based coating enables strong performance while maintaining material efficiency.
The packaging solution is built using UPM Solide™ Lucent or UPM Prego™ barrier papers, paired with Paramelt’s Aquavate™ Bio SB 2383—a water-based coating formulated entirely from biodegradable components. Together, they create a versatile packaging option suitable for a wide range of food products, including bakery goods, grab-and-go items, and other dry or greasy foods.
The collaboration also highlights the ease of integration into existing production processes. The coating works efficiently with UPM’s barrier papers at low coat weights and performs reliably on standard packaging equipment, including vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS) lines.
Leon Krings, Business Development Manager at Paramelt, emphasized that the solution addresses industry demand for scalable, sustainable technologies that can be seamlessly adopted without major changes to current manufacturing setups. The Aquavate™ Bio SB 2383 coating is specifically designed to support a transition toward recyclable and home-compostable fibre-based packaging.
Samples of the new packaging concept will be showcased at Interpack 2026, where both companies will present the innovation at their respective exhibition stands.
