Heidelberg and Solenis have collaborated in the field of paper packaging at Fachpack 2024 in Nuremberg, Germany. The aim of the agreement is to develop a cost-effective process to integrate barrier coatings for fiber-based packaging directly into the existing roll-fed flexo printing process with the Boardmaster from Heidelberg. Barrier coatings are used to prevent water or water vapor, hot and cold liquids, oils, and fats from leaking out of or penetrating into paper packaging.

“The growing global demand for sustainably produced, cost-effective, recyclable and compostable packaging makes the flexible paper sector an attractive growth market for us,” says Dr. David Schmedding, chief technology and sales officer at Heidelberg. “Our new Boardmaster web flexo printing machine, with its production speed of up to 600 meters per minute and availability of up to 90%, offers the ideal conditions for this. In our collaboration with Solenis, we are aiming for the cost-effective production of packaging solutions for the food industry that are geared towards efficiency and sustainability.”

Breakthrough expected for cost-effective barrier coatings

The cost-effective application of barrier coatings plays a key role in the quality and safety of flexible paper packaging. The collaboration between Heidelberg and Solenis is therefore about optimally coordinating the individual components of the Boardmaster, the chemical composition of the Solenis barrier coatings and the entire process technology and making them available to packaging producers. At the same time, the use of plastics is to be reduced through environmentally friendly alternatives with improved barrier functionality. The overall package should enable customers to expand their range of applications in the flexible paper sector with improved barrier functions. The result is cost-optimized applications that are predominantly reusable, recyclable, renewable and compostable.

“Packaging companies are under increasing pressure to optimize processes while meeting ambitious sustainability goals,” said William Kuecker, senior director, strategic marketing at Solenis. “Our partnership with Heidelberg pushes the boundaries of what is possible for paper packaging manufacturers. With the combination of state-of-the-art printing technology and innovative, high-performance specialty coatings, packaging manufacturers can increase their operational efficiency and product performance while meeting the growing demand for sustainable products and processes.”