Eco-packaging Breakthrough: Biodegradable Paper Liner for FFS Machines Reduces Plastic by 70%

 

Until recently, running paper on a vertical Form-Fill-Seal bag machine was not possible. Plastic was the only option. Now all that has changed. 

 

Mondi and Polish converter SILBO have developed a breakthrough solution: the first paper-based, biodegradable bag for food that runs on horizontal and vertical Form-Fill-Seal (FFS) machines. 

SKOG for Food (‘SKOG’ is Swedish for ‘forest’) reduces plastic by up to 70% while retaining all the required barrier properties to keep food fresh longer. No further investments are needed to switch production from plastic to SKOG for Food.

The innovative bag is made of sustainable, FSC™ certified paper. Through Mondi’s extrusion coating technology it is given a double-sided coating of the biodegradable barrier Sustainex®.

Sustainex® provides the required barriers and sealing properties needed to run on FFS machines. The paper’s gas permeability properties are maintained, preserving and protecting fresh foods, such as potatoes, longer.

Sustainex® is derived from renewable materials and is fully compliant with international standards for biodegradability and compostability. It is eligible for organic recovery, energy recovery and material recycling. And of course it is approved for direct contact with food.

"SKOG is a natural product especially designed to fulfil ecological needs while protecting our customers’ goods." said Jan-Willem Kleppers, managing director Mondi Extrusion Coatings. The new liner can perfectly support a brand’s sustainability strategy, he added.

Nearly two years of collaborative research and development between Mondi Extrusion Coatings and SILBO went into creating SKOG for Food.

"The cooperation between our companies has become an excellent platform for exchanging experiences and solutions that complement one another," said Jan Murzyn, sales manager Mondi Extrusion Coatings.

"We wanted to give the consumer the opportunity to choose eco-friendly packaging that even helps increase the time the food can be stored at home, said Marcin Śpiewok, business development manager SILBO.

As a specialist in food packaging, and keen observer of market trends, Mr Śpiewok was convinced there would be demand for a sustainable paper liner that could run on FFS machines.

Mondi developed the paper liner and barrier coating needed for FFS machines. Brand marketing and convenience features, including high-quality printing and a see-through window were added by SILBO, enabling brands to better showcase their products.

"Refinement of this paper allowed the introduction of innovative functional materials using polymer extrusion, while applying a thin layer enabled it to function as a barrier to water and steam, with heat sealable properties and a protective layer," Mr Śpiewok said.

Like Mondi, SILBO is strongly committed to sustainability. They offer water-based, biodegradable inks and biodegradable window films. Paired with Mondi’s FSC™ certified paper base and Sustainex® coating, these make SKOG for Food a truly sustainable packaging solution.

With SKOG for Food, SILBO could reduce their plastic consumption by 70%.

"The outcome is a biodegradable window bag with excellent printability and barriers, which offers the brand owner and the consumer the most sustainable barrier packaging," added Mr Murzyn of Mondi.