RDM Group and Ecopol launch recyclable board with PVOH barrier film

RDM Group, one of the leading producers of recycled cartonboard, has announced a partnership with Ecopol, a specialist in biodegradable and water-soluble film technologies, to develop an innovative recyclable barrier board.

The collaboration combines RDM's recycled fiber cartonboard with Ecopol's functional PVOH film, offering brands a sustainable, high-performance packaging option that can be customized to meet various application needs, including those for aroma-sensitive and food products.

According to the RDM Group, using recycled cartonboard has historically been challenging for food packaging because it becomes contaminated by food-grade mineral oil used in food processing machinery, which often finds its way into many food products. The new PVOH film-based barrier board can achieve Class A recyclability within standard fibre-recycling streams.

Ecopol's PVOH film is a transparent, water-soluble and biodegradable polymer. Its effectiveness as a barrier laminate, alongside its biodegradability, makes it a promising material to address packaging challenges, particularly for aroma-sensitive products and those requiring shelf-life extension. The film can be tailored to meet specific functional requirements, such as resistance to oxygen, grease, moisture, and mineral oils, supporting a wide range of product categories, including food products.

'By pairing our functional barrier film with RDM Group's board, we will create packaging that's not only functional but fully recyclable,' said Mauro Bonfiglio, Ecopol's vice president of sales and marketing. 'This will be a true step forward in eliminating virgin plastic waste and making sustainable approaches the new standard.'

Krzysztof Krajewski, RDM Group's chief innovation and sustainability officer, says the collaboration exemplifies the cross-industry links needed to meet the demands of the PPWR. 'Our goal is to create a more sustainable, recycling-friendly material of the future to drive increased circularity.'

RDM Group is now seeking brands and converters to develop new types of packaging using PVOH-based technology. 'We invite potential partners to start projects with us,' added Krajewski.

'Our partnership with RDM Group enables brands to adopt recyclable, functional packaging without compromising performance—paving the way for scalable circular approaches,' says Bonfiglio. 'This collaboration demonstrates the potential of circular design in fiber-based packaging.'