The collaboration between UPM Specialty Materials and BASF signifies a unified initiative aimed at addressing the technical challenges associated with fibre-based packaging. By integrating cutting-edge paper substrates with high-performance barrier resins, this partnership seeks to enhance the sustainability of packaging solutions.
This joint effort effectively combines UPM’s barrier and barrier base papers, such as UPM Solide Lucent and UPM Asendo, with BASF’s advanced waterborne Joncryl HPB technology, paving the way for recyclable options that can replace traditional multi-layer plastic structures.
The driving force behind this partnership is the pressing need within the industry to comply with upcoming environmental regulations, particularly Regulation (EU) 2025/40 concerning packaging and waste. By offering a pre-validated material mix, both firms intend to facilitate a smoother transition for food and beverage manufacturers toward “design-for-recycling” initiatives.
Mika Uusikartano, senior manager of product portfolio management at UPM Specialty Materials, highlighted the significance of this collaborative approach, stating, “The transition to recyclable fibre-based packaging requires both advanced barrier performance and close collaboration across the value chain. Our barrier papers are developed to support co-creation with partners, enabling new, high-performance packaging applications. The collaboration with BASF demonstrates how combining innovative barrier technologies with barrier papers can deliver functional, recyclable solutions that accelerate the packaging transformation.”
From a commercial standpoint, this partnership sets a benchmark for brands aiming to eliminate polyethylene (PE) laminations. Rolf Alles, director of sales resins EMEA at BASF, underscored how this collaboration offers a reliable alternative for the broader market: “The demand for sustainable packaging solutions is growing rapidly along the value chain – from brand owners to converters and formulators. UPM’s premium paper grades for flexible packaging, combined with barrier coatings based on waterborne Joncryl HPB resins from BASF form a strong and credible reference approach for the development of paper-based alternatives designed to replace plastic-based or PE-laminated structures.”
The tangible outcomes of this partnership, which include co-developed samples showcasing both performance and sustainability advantages for the food and non-food industries, will be presented at interpack 2026.