Coating & Laminating
Coatings, circularity and the next generation of fibre-based packaging
By Michael Strobl, director innovation and technical service, MM Board & Paper
B
arrier performance is no longer enough. Coatings and laminates are now judged by whether they protect products, run effi ciently and support packaging that can be collected, sorted and recycled at scale. That shift puts converters in a more infl uential position. They are not simply processors applying a coating or laminate; they are technical advisers helping brand owners balance product protection, runnability, material effi ciency, recyclability and credible environmental communication. The move towards simpler, more mono- material packaging structures refl ects this pressure. Reducing material complexity can make packs easier to understand, sort and recycle. But simplicity only creates value if the pack still delivers the barrier performance, shelf life and production reliability required.
This is where dispersion coatings and other fi bre- compatible barrier technologies are becoming increasingly important. They can provide resistance to grease, moisture and migration while supporting compatibility with paper recycling systems. As a result, fi bre-based packaging can move into more demanding applications, including bakery, chilled and frozen food, confectionery and foodservice, that have traditionally relied on plastic-rich or multi- material structures.
Paper and board already benefi t from established recycling infrastructure. Eurostat reports that paper and cardboard packaging achieved an 87 per cent recycling rate in the EU in 2023. Yet technical recyclability is no longer the only test. Under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, the direction of travel is towards packaging designed for recycling and recycled at scale. Extended Producer Responsibility schemes are also making complexity a potential cost, because harder-to-process structures can require greater collection, sorting and recycling eff ort.
For recycled cartonboard, coating innovation creates a particular opportunity. Research by Graz University of Technology found that fi bre-based packaging material can be recycled at least 25 times without losing mechanical or structural integrity. If suitable barriers allow recycled grades such as white-lined chipboard to serve more demanding applications, they can protect products while keeping recovered fi bre in circulation. At MM Board & Paper, this balance guides the development of board and barrier concepts. The objective is to match the substrate and barrier to the product, converting process, fi lling conditions and intended recycling route. Converters are central to that decision. A barrier that performs well in isolation may not be the right choice if it causes production issues, adds unnecessary material or complicates end-of-life processing. Early collaboration between board producers, coating specialists, converters and brands can prevent these trade-off s being discovered after a specifi cation is fi xed.
Environmental communication adds another consideration. The EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive will apply from 27 September 2026, tightening the rules around environmental claims and sustainability labels. Self-created sustainability labels will no longer be permitted unless established by a public authority or based on a qualifying certifi cation scheme. Claims about recyclability, recycled content or reduced impact will therefore need to be specifi c, supportable and refl ected in the fi nished pack.
Consumers also expect packaging to be easy to understand and dispose of, but convenience and aff ordability remain decisive. The strongest coating and barrier solutions will therefore be practical and scalable, not simply technically impressive. The future of coated fi bre-based packaging depends on joining these requirements together. For converters, that means helping customers specify structures that protect the product, perform on press and packing lines, meet regulatory expectations and retain the value of fi bre after use.
18
July/August 2026
www.convertermag.com
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