Siegwerk and Kotkamills join forces for circularity

Under the motto Together we accelerate change for good, this strategic partnership aims to provide the market with highly sustainable and eco-friendly technologies by combining both companies' latest technologies. The collaboration is based on the potential of water-based dispersion barrier coated paperboard to replace traditional polyethylene (PE) coated board. 

Since 2018, Kotkamills has used its technology to produce barrier boards for hot cups and other food packaging end uses. The new water-based dispersion barriers make the paperboard compostable, repulpable, and easy to recycle. The fibers used are from sustainable PEFC, and FSC certified sources. Siegwerk’s sustainable inks and coating results in great printing performance and high-quality surface protection.

‘With UniNature, our recently launched water-based ink system formulated with renewable and natural components, we add a sustainable ink and coating solution for improved packaging recyclability,’ commented David Charquet, international key account director for European paper and board business unit at Siegwerk. ‘We are very delighted to work together with Kotkamills to provide innovative and circular solutions that ensure high-quality packaging performance while reducing the environmental impact. Together we aim for packaging circularity and want to accelerate change for good.’

‘As a pioneer developing innovative and easily recyclable water-based dispersion barrier paperboards for various packaging solutions, we are very pleased that our collaborative effort with Siegwerk is bearing fruits that the packaging industry and printers can benefit from by offering to brand owners and consumers high-quality and genuinely sustainable products. Together we accelerate change for good,’ added Päivi Suutari, VP RDI at Kotkamills. ‘Circularity is essential now and will be even more so in the coming years.’

Together, the two partners offer the packaging markets an alternative to replacing traditional plastic coatings in fiber-based packaging, improving recyclability and circularity, resulting in an increased value of wastepaper, improved fiber recovery, and a noticeable reduction of waste. The partners’ solutions are designed to help converters and brand owners to deliver more sustainable packaging alternatives and thereby create value for a circular economy going forward.