Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, is collaborating with Welton, Bibby and Baron, a premier packaging supplier serving the UK food and FMCG markets. Together, they are set to roll out recyclable paper-based bread bags to retail shelves, enhancing food and drink packaging sustainability.
WBB will utilize Mondi’s FunctionalBarrier Paper Reduce to manufacture brown and white paper bags tailored for various pre-packed fresh bread products. Mondi crafts the robust base kraft paper from responsibly sourced fibres and applies an in-house coating to ensure essential barrier properties are maintained in the final packaging.
The FunctionalBarrier Paper Reduce represents the thinnest option within Mondi’s barrier paper range, providing the necessary strength for higher filling weights while delivering exceptional protection against water vapour, grease, and moisture. The resulting packaging preserves the bread’s freshness, softness, and moisture, while also offering a recyclable alternative to previous non-recyclable options.
Both bag designs feature a premium aesthetic with windows that allow consumers to see the bread clearly while promoting packaging recyclability. The brown bag incorporates a glassine window, which can be disposed of in the paper recycling bin alongside the bag. Meanwhile, the white bag features a detachable film window that can easily be separated from the paper component, facilitating disposal in designated recycling bins by end consumers. These paper bags meet the criteria for a recycling label from the On Pack Recycling Label Scheme (OPRL) and can be conveniently recycled through kerbside collection services across the UK.
Mick Robinson, Business Solutions Manager for Functional Paper and Films at Mondi, states: “With our MAP2030 sustainability targets, we are fully committed to developing circular packaging options to satisfy our customers and their end users, who are looking for more sustainable and convenient solutions in their shopping habits and overall lifestyles. Long-standing partnerships like this mean we can actively support brands and retailers in their steps towards sustainability.”
Furthermore, Andrew Lockyear, Technical Manager at Welton Bibby & Baron, remarks: “Close collaboration with the Mondi team meant we had access to a lot of expertise throughout the whole process, enabling us to turn around this brilliant result in such a short time frame. To meet possible future regulatory requirements, we’ll be working with Mondi a lot more, further improving existing solutions and proactively leading the sustainability game.”
For more information, visit www.mondigroup.com.