Bobst and Michelman target PPWR barriers

Bobst and Michelman have outlined the latest developments in their collaboration on recyclable high-barrier packaging, presenting mono-material polyethylene and paper-based structures designed to help converters meet EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation requirements ahead of the January 2030 deadline.

The two companies, which have worked together for over a decade on sustainable barrier packaging, presented updates on two flagship structures. OneBarrier PrimeCycle is a recyclable mono-material polyethylene structure combining MDO-PE film with ultra-thin Michelman primers and Bobst vacuum metallization technology. The unprinted structure contains up to 98 percent polyethylene content and achieved a recyclability score of 98 percent through external testing with cyclos-HTP, with oxygen and water transmission levels comparable to aluminum foil performance.

OneBarrier FibreCycle is a paper-based high-barrier structure using oxygen barrier primers, vacuum metallization and heat seal coatings applied in two wet coating phases. Final structures achieved oxygen transmission rates of 0.02-0.1 while maintaining moisture-barrier performance under tropical conditions, with recyclability demonstrated using CEPI-harmonized and Western Michigan University protocols.

The companies also presented proof-of-concept bio-based, plastic-free coating systems that target compliance with the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive, with structures running on industrial packaging equipment at speeds of up to 350 envelopes per minute, achieving 100 percent sealing performance. A further development using ultra-thin metalized BOPP film laminated to paper substrates was presented as an approach to aluminum foil replacement barrier levels.

'We needed to get the same barrier performance on much more challenging, less performing substrates,' said Nick Copeland, R&D director of barrier solutions at Bobst. 'That performance had to be achieved but also maintained through each conversion step.'

'By working together with different stakeholders in the value chain, we are able to accelerate innovation and reduce time to market,' added Thierry Van Migem, director of sales for the European region at Michelman.

Bobst and Michelman customers can test and develop structures at Bobst's global Competence Centers and Michelman's Global Technology Centers.