Mondi, a leading packaging and paper producer, is making a significant investment of €16 million in new technology to introduce a groundbreaking packaging range called FunctionalBarrier Paper Ultimate. This innovative solution addresses the growing demand for sustainable packaging in the food industry and supports the circular economy.
Designed to meet the specific needs of the food sector, Mondi’s FunctionalBarrier Paper Ultimate range offers an ultra-high barrier paper-based solution that is recyclable within paper waste streams across Europe. With this new addition to their existing portfolio of FunctionalBarrier Papers, Mondi aims to provide food products, such as dried foods and powdered milk, with packaging that offers superior protection against water vapor and oxygen. By surpassing current industry standards, which often rely on non-recyclable plastic or aluminum-lined packaging, the FunctionalBarrier Paper Ultimate range ensures a longer shelf life for these perishable goods.
Initial trials of the FunctionalBarrier Paper Ultimate range have yielded highly favorable results, both for customers and end consumers. Mondi reports that the paper-based solution not only outperforms traditional alternatives made of aluminum or plastic but is also widely accepted and preferred. The positive feedback validates Mondi’s commitment to sustainable packaging solutions.
Thanks to the investment at their Solec plant in Poland, Mondi will soon be able to produce this high-barrier functional paper on a larger scale, utilizing the latest technology and efficient processes. The COO of consumer flexibles at Mondi, Dirk Gabriel, expresses the company’s dedication to addressing the aluminum barrier challenge, stating, “With research, development, and investment in new technologies, we have succeeded in finding an effective replacement that meets the necessary standards for protecting our customers’ food products.” Gabriel adds that the FunctionalBarrier Paper Ultimate range allows Mondi’s food-producing customers to transition to a more sustainable packaging solution, aligning with their sustainability goals. This achievement exemplifies Mondi’s commitment to their Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030), which aims to make all their packaging solutions reusable, recyclable, and compostable.
Industrial scale production of the FunctionalBarrier Paper Ultimate range is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2024. This remarkable investment demonstrates Mondi’s dedication to delivering innovative and eco-friendly solutions to the food packaging industry.
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