UPM, Uteco, and Siegwerk have introduced a paper-based solution for secondary packaging designed to help brand owners reduce plastic reliance while maintaining high packaging performance.

The new format allows brand owners to significantly increase the renewable material content in their secondary packaging — up to 90% — providing a practical pathway to comply with evolving global packaging legislation, such as the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Designed specifically as a low-risk entry point into paper packaging, the system relies on the primary packaging to continue safeguarding core product integrity while secondary packaging shifts toward renewable alternatives.

To deliver essential protection, the solution combines UPM’s barrier base paper with Siegwerk’s CIRKIT BAR SEAL coating, applied via Uteco’s high-definition flexographic technology. This combination delivers crucial moisture and grease resistance along with heat-sealing capabilities. Despite these functional barrier properties, the resulting packaging remains fully recyclable through standard paper recycling streams, complying with CEPI and 4evergreen v2 standards.

For converters and brands, the system is engineered for high industrial efficiency. By integrating coating, printing, and heat sealing into a single pass, the technology helps save time, energy, and production costs while enabling seamless scaling in demanding applications.