UPM Specialty Papers, Henkel and Koenig & Bauer co-create a digitally printable confectionery pouch

(UPM, Helsinki, 12 September 2024 at 10:00 EEST) – UPM Specialty Papers continues to work with partners from across the food packaging value network, co-creating transformative solutions that offer unique and innovative solutions that meet the specific requirements of brand owners and converters.

The company already enjoys a long-standing relationship with Henkel, a global leader in many industrial and consumer businesses. UPM Specialty Papers also recently embarked on projects with Koenig & Bauer, a globally active printing press manufacturer and software solutions provider.

Recyclable. Heat-sealable. Food safe.

Now, the three partners teamed up to create a sustainable heat-sealable packaging concept. The ‘doypack’ confectionery pouch combines enhanced levels of barrier properties with suitability for all printing methods, including digital. It is also recyclable in existing fibre recycling streams and completely safe for food contact.

Optimised for digital printing

The project began with UPM Asendo™ barrier paper, which was tested and optimised on a Koenig & Bauer RotaJET digital press. Unlike flexo, rotogravure or offset printing methods that require high volume runs, digital printing technology allows small batches to be produced for specific marketing purposes such as events or localised packaging.

The prototype packaging was then coated with Henkel's AQUENCE EPIX BC 6134 FL coating. The resulting structure not only provides resistance to moisture and especially grease but also has excellent sealing properties. This makes it ideal for uses such as confectionery, as well as frozen food and bakery products.

“The smooth collaboration between UPM, Koenig & Bauer Digital & Webfed and Henkel ensures that the project runs efficiently and effectively, leveraging the strengths of each party and showcasing the latest advancements in digital printing and sustainable packaging solutions. The materials used in the doypack pouches are designed to run seamlessly across different processes, ensuring high runnability and consistent quality,” explains Aleksi Pekkanen, Senior Researcher, UPM R&D.

The entire production process from coating to printing to packaging the candy was highly efficient and went according to plan, with the final pouches produced at Pack Company.

“We have used UPM paper on our packaging line a few times. Now that we've learned to run heat-sealable barrier papers, it works just like other commercial materials. The packaging machines are made for plastic, but we can already achieve the same running speeds with UPM barrier papers. Papers also drive better than plastic and reduce waste because plastic stretches. Paper offers a higher level of dimensional stability,” says Jaana Hakkarainen, Director, Sales and Production, Pack Company.

UPM Asendo™, UPM Asendo Pro™, UPM Solide Lucent™ and UPM Prego™ barrier and barrier base papers are all perfect for further coatings to improve their protective properties and add heat- or cold-sealing. Together with our partner coatings, these papers are capable of delivering medium to high barrier levels based on the end-use requirements.

Fachpack visitors are invited to visit UPM Specialty Papers on stand 241 in hall 3A and Koenig & Bauer on stand 539 in hall 7, to view new doypack and take away a sample.

For further information please contact:
Maarit Relander, Senior Manager, Marketing, UPM Specialty Papers, +358 204 15 0223

UPM, Media Relations
Mon-Fri 9:00–16:00 EEST
tel. +358 40 588 3284
media@upm.com

Link to images: https://materialhub.upm.com/l/DcfbX9SwfVfj

UPM Specialty Papers
UPM Specialty Papers answers the world’s need for sustainable products with high-performance, transformative papers for packaging and labelling, and sustainable office and graphic papers in APAC. Our approximately 2,000 dedicated experts help customers co-create solutions to their business challenges. UPM Specialty Papers’ global team and mills in China, Finland and Germany serve customers consistently and reliably around the world.

Find out how our products are special by nature at upmspecialtypapers.com

Follow UPM Specialty Papers on LinkedIn

UPM
We deliver renewable and responsible solutions and innovate for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Fibres, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. As the industry leader in responsibility, we are committed to the UN Business Ambition for 1.5°C and the science-based targets to mitigate climate change. We employ 16,600 people worldwide and our annual sales are approximately EUR 10.5 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. UPM Biofore – Beyond fossils. www.upm.com 

Follow UPM on X | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | #UPM #biofore #beyondfossils

About Henkel
With its brands, innovations and technologies, Henkel holds leading market positions worldwide in the industrial and consumer businesses. The business unit Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the market for adhesives, sealants and functional coatings. With Consumer Brands, the company holds leading positions especially in laundry & home care and hair in many markets and categories around the world. The company's three strongest brands are Loctite, Persil and Schwarzkopf. In fiscal 2023, Henkel reported sales of more than 21.5 billion euros and adjusted operating profit of around 2.6 billion euros. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. Sustainability has a long tradition at Henkel, and the company has a clear sustainability strategy with specific targets. Henkel was founded in 1876 and today employs a diverse team of about 48,000 people worldwide – united by a strong corporate culture, shared values and a common purpose: "Pioneers at heart for the good of generations.”

More information at www.henkel.com

About Koenig & Bauer
For more than 200 years, the Koenig & Bauer Group has been synonymous with innovation and technical progress in the global printing industry – making us the world’s oldest printing press manufacturer. Koenig & Bauer’s high-tech presses and systems, which are consistently tailored to meet customer requirements, and its comprehensive range of services enable people all over the world to come into contact with printed, processed and finished products. In addition to various types of packaging for the food, beverage, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, this also includes banknotes, decorations and laminates as well as magazines and newspapers. The products are used in packaging, banknote, security, industrial, commercial and publication printing.

More information at https://www.koenig-bauer.com/en/index/