RUF’s switch to Koehler barrier paper aids protection

RUF Lebensmittelwerk has taken a major step forward in its packaging transformation by switching its porridge pouches to Koehler NexPlus Seal Pure MOB, a recyclable barrier paper engineered for dry food.

The move reflects the manufacturer’s ambition to reduce plastic use, strengthen circularity and meet tightening regulatory requirements, while maintaining the product protection expected in the category.

The new paper‑based pack is heat‑sealable and incorporates an integrated oil barrier, making it suitable for dry food applications that require both functional protection and clean processing.

According to the company, the material delivers the same high‑level performance as its previous packaging while enabling a significant sustainability upgrade.

As RUF’s packaging procurement team leader Martina Baumann notes: “This new paper packaging will enable us to get much closer to our sustainability objectives… while making sure that the corresponding quality, product protection, and processing characteristics remain at the same high level that we’re used to.”

A key factor in the decision was recyclability. The barrier paper has been confirmed by Cepi as recyclable in standard wastepaper streams, meaning it can be processed through existing paper‑recycling infrastructure without requiring specialist sorting. This allows RUF to reduce its reliance on plastic‑containing laminates and align with the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The company says the shift supports its broader circular‑economy goals and helps future‑proof its packaging portfolio.

The solution was co‑developed through close collaboration between RUF and Koehler Paper, ensuring the material met both technical and sustainability requirements.

Koehler Paper’s brand owner manager Stefan Sinning said the partnership resulted in a pack that “not only provides exceptional product protection, but also strengthens the company’s brand image visibly,” adding that the material “combines natural properties, functionality, and recyclability and makes sustainability something that consumers can experience directly.”

The porridge pouches were unveiled at interpack 2026, where the companies showcased the new design as a visible signal of RUF’s sustainability progress. The paper’s natural look and feel also support stronger on‑shelf differentiation, reinforcing the brand’s positioning around simplicity and natural ingredients.

The material forms part of Koehler’s NexFlex portfolio, a next‑generation family of flexible packaging papers designed to replace plastic wherever possible. Developed by Koehler Innovation & Technology, the range includes barrier papers, coated papers and natural uncoated options, all engineered for recyclability and verified through PTS and Cepi testing.

For RUF, the switch marks a significant milestone in its packaging roadmap: a move that reduces environmental impact, meets regulatory expectations and maintains the performance standards required for dry food. For the wider market, it signals growing momentum behind recyclable barrier papers as brands seek credible, scalable alternatives to plastic‑based flexible packaging.