In terms of recent developments, with new plastic waste management regulations coming up in India, Michelman has developed several new innovative coatings for different flexible packaging applications. “We have developed new grades of oxygen-barrier coatings for papers as well as films which can provide a high barrier against oxygen and moisture. So eventually, that can replace one of the metalized layers or aluminum foil layers to make the structure more environment friendly in addition to fulfilling plastic waste management regulations.
“For paper-based structures, Michelman recently collaborated with Bobst using AluBond technology and UPM papers for a new solution that can replace foil structure in many flexible packaging applications. These are some of the exciting work that’s happening at Michelman and you may see these packaging structures with Michelman coating soon as many brands are exploring these sustainable packaging structures in the Indian market,” said Yogesh Pitake, research and development head, Michelman India.
“Brands, as well as converters, are increasingly becoming receptive to these solutions to meet their sustainability goals” added Pitake. “Despite facing initial resistance, the implementation of plastic waste management regulations has brought about a change in the attitudes of brands and converters towards recyclable or environmentally friendly solutions. As a result, many large brands are actively searching for coatings solutions and plan to introduce these changes to various converters in order to apply them to different SKUs within their product portfolio.”
Sustainability – water-based chemistry
“Michelman manufactures only water-based chemistry. So the products that we offer for different applications are all water-based. Most of our products are recyclable and repulpable. So for example when a paper substrate is coated with Michelman coating, it is possible to gain 99% of pulp out of this coated material during the recycling process. So these coatings will not impact recyclability.”
eCommerce
“The eCommerce industry has transitioned most of its plastic-based structure to paper-based. However, the shift from plastic to paper is still very slow. Further, in terms of plastic packaging, the use of mono-materials for recyclability purposes is preferred over multilayer packaging. However, the disadvantage of mono materials is that some barrier properties could be compromised. However, by using coatings you can produce the mono-material packaging without compromising on any barrier properties,” said Pitake.
Trends
“The Indian market is poised for continued growth in paper packaging, particularly in the area of eCommerce, which has already seen significant success. With the use of advanced technologies such as Bobst AluBond and Michelman coatings for oxygen and moisture barriers, it is likely that flexible packaging applications, particularly in the food industry, will also benefit from this trend. The company has already made significant progress in introducing these solutions to various brands, and it is expected that they will be implemented in the Indian market in the coming years’’
