BASF, Germany, and Omya, Switzerland, are working jointly on coater-ready barrier solutions for paper and "cardboard" packaging. This cooperation is their response to the growing demand for these products. In the future, this will provide a service for customers who for capacity and plant technology reasons cannot prepare formulations and mixtures independently. Coater-ready solutions consist mainly of pigments, additives, and functional barrier dispersions.

 

BASF's and Omya's contributions to the partnership complement each other ideally. BASF supplies barrier dispersions, while Omya provides the pigments and experience to manufacture these products and produces them in its own facilities. Thanks to their technical know-how and knowledge of the market, the two partners can guarantee an optimal solution for the paper and cardboard packaging manufacturers. Marketing will be carried out through the sales channels of Omya in Europe. A first commercial product will be available in the first quarter of 2015. 

 

The upcoming Mineral Oil Ordinance of the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture ,and Consumer Protection (BMELV) is increasing interest in water-based barrier solutions for paper and cardboard packaging. BASF's comprehensive portfolio of barrier solutions includes polymers applied by extrusion, coextrusion, or lamination at converters (e.g. ecovio® PS 1606, or Ultramid®) as well as water-based dispersions used in paper finishing on coating machines and in printing processes (Epotal®). Through this cooperation, BASF's portfolio is supplemented by this new coater-ready barrier formulation.

Together with packaging manufacturers, BASF has developed various barrier solutions, which are already being successfully used in the market for various packaging applications.