Mill group Mondi has begun production of a recyclable barrier paper that does not contain an aluminium or plastic lining.
The company has invested €16 million (£13.8 million) in developing its new FunctionalBarrier Paper Ultimate range that can be used for food and non-food packaging.
It can be used for dried foods and powdered milk as well as home and cosmetics applications.
This is being manufactured at its Solec plant in Poland.
The new packaging range is capable of preventing water vapour and oxygen from getting into the product and ensures a long shelf-life.
Mondi has not said what the barrier is made from, apart from it not being plastic or aluminium.
Its chief operating officer consumer flexibles Dirk Gabriel said: “As a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, we have been focused on the aluminium barrier challenge for some time.
“We knew that with research, development and investment in new technologies, we would find an effective replacement that would provide the necessary protection for our customers’ food products.
“FunctionalBarrier Paper Ultimate helps our existing and new food producing customers to switch to a more sustainable packaging solution and thus contribute to their sustainability goals. It is a tangible example of our Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030) commitment to making all our packaging solutions reusable, recyclable and compostable.”
