RDM Group has launched Vincicoat Plus (V+), a new generation of coated recycled cartonboard designed to deliver increased strength while enabling meaningful packaging weight reduction.

Recycled cartonboard is typically perceived to be weaker than virgin alternatives. Vincicoat Plus has been engineered to reduce this gap, delivering up to 15-20% higher strength than the company standard WLC, while maintaining a minimum of 85% recycled fiber content.

With its superior square stiffness, the resistance to stress applied during bending in both machine and cross directions, V+ is the strongest GD board (WLC) RDM Group has ever offered, enabling better performance for creasing and folding during sheet conversion, leading to packaging structures that withstand higher compression resistance, resulting with high top- and side-load values of the final box structure, a company statement said.

For frozen and humid applications, it is also available as hard sized option with exceptionally low water absorbency performance, which is also readily available.

Reduction has become a top sustainability priority for brand owners and retailers. According to the company, while RDM Group has long led the market in recyclable, circular cartonboard solutions, Vincicoat Plus represents a strategic shift towards “reduce” as well as “recycle”.

The enhanced structural performance of V+ allows converters and brand owners to either reduce final packaging weight by up to 20%, or maintain existing grammages while significantly increasing pack strength and product protection.

This supports lower material use, reduced resource demand and improved efficiency, delivering both environmental benefits, such as reduced deforestation, and economic benefits through optimised packaging material usage.

Vincicoat Plus has been validated through external laboratory testing, including box compression and top-load strength tests, as well as high-speed conversion trials with converter partners. Pressure testing has also been carried out on hard-sized board (Cobb 180 seconds) in combination with freezing and elevated-humidity conditions.

The board runs efficiently across printing, cutting and box-forming processes and is ideal for demanding applications such as large boxes requiring high structural integrity; high-speed food and pharmaceutical packing lines; frozen and chilled food packaging; and heavier contents such as cosmetics, soaps, and detergents. Vincicoat Plus is engineered and produced at RDM Group’s Santa Giustina mill in Italy.

“When performance is no longer the trade-off, recycled cartonboard becomes the obvious choice,” said Krzysztof Krajewski, chief sustainability and innovation officer at RDM Group.

“With Vincicoat PLUS, brand owners can achieve the strength, durability, and reliability they need in their packaging to protect precious products, while also reducing material use and maximizing recycled fibre content. Stronger boxes, lighter packs, and a circular solution all come together, giving brands the confidence to deliver exceptional solutions to consumers while supporting global environmental goals.”