Stahl’s Repura coatings help shift to recyclability

Stahl’s launch of its Repura barrier‑coatings portfolio at Interpack 2026 marks a significant moment for food manufacturers aiming to shift from plastic to high‑performance paper‑based packaging without compromising product protection.

The range is engineered to help brands meet tightening sustainability targets, maintain shelf appeal and ensure food safety, while keeping packaging fully recyclable and repulpable.

Food categories such as bakery, snacks, ready meals, confectionery and dry goods increasingly require packaging that delivers strong barrier performance without undermining circularity goals.

Stahl positions Repura as a direct answer to this challenge. The coatings provide high‑performance protection against oil and grease, water and water vapour, and oxygen transmission — the three critical failure points that have historically limited the use of paper‑based packaging in food applications. According to Stahl, this level of protection enables manufacturers to replace plastic films and foils in many formats while maintaining product integrity under demanding real‑world conditions.

Paul Grzebielucha, group director packaging coatings at Stahl, said the portfolio is designed to give brands confidence in the transition. “With Repura, we enable brands to protect what matters most: product quality, consumer trust and circular design. Our barrier coatings combine high performance with recyclability, helping brands move toward paper‑based packaging without compromise.”

A major advantage for food manufacturers is the ability to move away from plastic‑based flexible packaging toward fibre‑based formats. This shift is becoming increasingly important as companies prepare for stricter packaging‑waste regulations and retailer‑driven sustainability scorecards. By reducing reliance on PE, PP, PET and aluminium‑foil laminates, Repura supports compliance with emerging recyclability and extended producer responsibility frameworks and enables mono‑material paper structures that simplify waste‑stream sorting.

The coatings are engineered to maintain food protection throughout filling, transport, storage and consumer handling. Their oil and grease resistance supports bakery, snack and fast‑food applications, while water and vapour‑barrier performance helps protect moisture‑sensitive goods. Oxygen‑barrier properties preserve freshness, aroma and shelf life, addressing one of the most persistent concerns about switching from plastic to paper.

Repura‑treated substrates remain compatible with standard paper‑recycling systems, avoiding the need for specialist de‑lamination and supporting high‑quality fibre recovery. This recyclability is a key differentiator for manufacturers seeking packaging that is both functional and credibly circular. The coatings are also suitable for direct food contact, widening their use across primary packaging formats including wraps, pouches, trays and folding cartons.

The portfolio is designed for flexibility across paper, board, flexible packaging and high‑speed converting lines, allowing manufacturers to integrate Repura into existing production workflows with minimal disruption.