interpack 2023: Sappi meeting the packaging challenges of today and tomorrow
Innovative paper and board products, plus flexible packaging solutions – including barrier papers, wet glue label, containerboard and paperboard – will all be on display at Sappi who will also be providing details of current investments in its various mills and showcasing the latest solutions that have been developed as a result.
Since the last interpack show was held six years ago, Sappi has expanded its portfolio of packaging papers and added new technology to its production sites. At Stand B35 in Hall 8A, under the “Futureproof” theme, Sappi will be underscoring its position as a leading global provider of renewable packaging materials.
As Marco Eikelenboom, CEO of Sappi Europe, explains: “Increasingly our customers are not only seeking, but also bound by legislation to demand sustainably produced and recyclable materials for the outer packaging of their goods. This expectation is on the rise not only by manufacturers but also consumers. We have invested in our sites to be able to respond quickly and flexibly to current and future market requirements and to further consolidate our position as a premium supplier of wood fibre based packaging papers and boards.”
At its Alfeld mill in Germany, Sappi has invested a multi-million euro sum in an entirely new type of barrier coating line which was recently put into operation along with an in-house coating kitchen, roll finishing and an automated transport system (AGV). The state-of-the-art solution will be used to produce innovative high-barrier papers. Product samples will be on display at the fair.
Sappi will also be introducing two new papers from the Guard product family: the high barrier Guard HS, which ensures outstanding product protection thanks to its strong water vapour barrier plus heat-sealable properties; and Guard Twist, a twisting paper with integrated barrier for the food sector that can, for example, be used as confectionery wrapping.
Another entirely new addition to the functional paper packaging segment is Sappi’s Seal Light – a sealable paper without barriers that will be presented for the very first time in its Nature version, with a 45 g/m2 grammage, and as a Gloss version, with a 55 g/m2 basis weight. The paper is designed for primary and secondary packaging.
Beside functional papers, Sappi is introducing further new papers in flexible packaging. With Crystalcon, the company is presenting an uncoated, compostable, translucent paper suitable for both food and non-food applications. Featuring enough transparency to make the packaged product visible, it can be used as a sustainable alternative to film. That means potential applications range from pasta or rice packaging to magazines, envelope viewing windows and sales packaging for greeting cards. In addition, Sappi will launch a new range of uncoated flexible packaging paper. The matt optic and the unrivalled haptic of the paper meet the trend for a more natural look and feel for flexible packaging.
Sappi will be showcasing its successful wet glue label paper Parade Label Pro – the one-side, double-coated, glossy, wet-glue label paper with a high degree of whiteness that enables excellent printing and finishing results. The paper is designed for all standard wet-glue label applications, such as wrap-around labels for non-returnable bottles, tins and jars. And also for flexible packaging applications such as chocolate wrappers or soft packs.
Due to increasing demand, Sappi has expanded production to a higher basis weight for Parade Label Pro, which was previously available in grammages of 80 g/m² and 90 g/m². The label paper is now also available in grammages of 100 g/m², 110 g/m² and 120 g/m². Samples will be available at the show.
