Recyclable barrier for food packaging

Cardboard packaging for food often needs a grease or moisture barrier, which is traditionally achieved by applying a thin layer of PE. Consumers often do not recognise at first glance that their cardboard packaging contains a plastic component, but it will certainly be identified at the recycling plant. The PE coating and all the cardboard fibres adhering to it will be sieved out and ‘thermally recycled’ - i.e. incinerated. Potentially recyclable cardboard is therefore being lost along with residual PE waste. 

Modern water-soluble barriers that do not reduce recyclability can be used for food packaging; even if coloured and even if in direct contact with the food. This prompted STI Group to develop its TO GO packaging for fat-containing foods, based on a sustainable barrier varnish instead of PE coating. The varnish enables the inside of the pack to be branded attractively, is naturally food-safe, and is fully recyclable – as demonstrated by TU Darmstadt, using PTS RH021/97 Cat.1 for packaging recyclability.