Mondi Expands Barrier Paper Production Line
Mondi ramps up FunctionalBarrier Paper Ultimate to meet growing demand for sustainable high-barrier paper-based packaging
Packaging and paper producer Mondi is expanding its range of high-performance barrier papers with the rollout of FunctionalBarrier Paper Ultimate, a paper-based solution that the company says meets the most demanding packaging requirements.
The company is ramping up production of the new material following a €16 million (£13.5 million) investment in its Solec facility in Poland. The new FunctionalBarrier Paper Ultimate is designed to provide high levels of protection against oxygen, water vapour, and grease, with a reported oxygen transmission rate (OTR) below 0.5cm³/sqm per day and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) below 0.5g/sqm per day.
According to Mondi, internal product assessments show that the barrier paper results in significantly lower cradle-to-grave carbon emissions compared to traditional multi-layer plastic or aluminium-based packaging.
The paper is part of Mondi’s re/cycle product line and is designed to align with recycling criteria outlined in the Cepi Recyclability Laboratory Test Method (Version 1 – January 2025) and 4evergreen's Recycling Evaluation Protocol. Mondi states that the material is compatible with conventional recycling processes, offering a recyclable alternative to common non-renewable packaging formats.
The packaging is intended for high-barrier applications such as instant coffee sticks, pod overwraps, tea sachets, dried food seasonings, cereal bars, and bouillon cubes. It is designed to preserve product shelf life and work with existing horizontal and vertical form-fill-seal machinery.
Dirk Gabriel, chief operating officer of consumer flexibles at Mondi, said the development was driven by customer needs. "FunctionalBarrier Paper Ultimate is the result of customer-driven innovation," Mr Gabriel said. "With this solution, we are helping brands to move away from multi-material packaging that is unrecyclable, without compromising on performance. This is another concrete step towards our MAP2030 sustainability commitments of designing circular driven solutions, created by empowered people, and taking action on climate. As of today, 87% of Mondi's packaging solutions are already reusable, recyclable or compostable."