New coating widens cardboard’s applications, says firm

The company said the new barrier, VaporCoat 2200, will prevent frozen food moisture from penetrating a corrugated cardboard surround as well as inhibiting the infiltration of convenience and snack food grease into the outer paper-based packaging.

The coating is a non hazardous, opaque liquid containing only water as the carrier system with no halogenated compounds or hydrocarbon co solvents, and when coated and dried onto paper or board substrates, it forms an inert transparent film, claims the manufacturer.

The VaperCoat 2200 should appeal to manufacturers looking for new ways to ease their reliance on the increasingly volatile petroleum markets.

Green appeal​

David Spencer, general manager at Smurfit Kappa’s preprint plant, said the design of the cardboard coating was informed by environmental factors in that it can replace the millions of tonnes of plastic packaging being used for convenience, snack and frozen foods.

“Our barrier coating will enable the phasing out and replacement of these out of date formats with recyclable cardboard,”​ claims Spencer.

Cost factor​

He told FoodProductionDaily.com that the coated cardboard, even with the additional costs relating to the processing of the barrier film, will still be 25 per cent cheaper than plastic alternatives.

Spencer said the new packaging can be used with products such as frozen meats, fatty, wet or dried foods as well as dough-based items, and that it is currently being trialled by a leading UK retailer for hot baked products.

Compliance ​

According to the company, the VaporCoat 2200 meets Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and EU food contact materials regulatory requirements,

Smurfit Kappa UK supplies pre-printed corrugated packaging to food manufacturers and has conversion facilities at locations throughout the UK.