UPM and Royal Vaassen have developed a fibre-based alternative to plastic and aluminum packaging solutions

Press Release 4.9.2025 10:00 EEST

(UPM, Helsinki, September 4, 2025 at 10:00 EEST) – To meet the growing demand for recyclable packaging, Royal Vaassen, in collaboration with UPM Specialty Papers, has developed several recyclable* and food-safe barrier paper solutions for a variety of end-use applications. The Barryrwrap concept by Royal Vaassen addresses packaging needs ranging from medium to the most demanding barrier requirements, including oxygen and moisture barrier properties.

With the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) recyclability requirements approaching, it is essential to find packaging solutions that are recyclable with widely available recycling infrastructures. Paper and board recycling infrastructures are widely present and established to support the future requirements.

“Our barrier papers are a sustainable alternative to laminates and plastics. They offer strong protection with a focus on performance and circularity and are suitable for existing production lines and products such as coffee, stock and chocolate”, explains Mark Gerritsen, Sales Manager, Royal Vaassen.

“Barryrwrap Everest is our highest performing barrier paper, developed for instant coffee and other dry products that demand maximum protection. The material provides an excellent barrier against moisture, oxygen and light; printing is reproduced with exceptional clarity and it’s ready to seal on existing production lines. With its fully recyclable paper structure, Barryrwrap Everest is a sustainable and circular alternative to traditional aluminum laminates, without compromising on quality or processability”, he continues.

UPM SolideTM Lucent packaging paper offers a perfect base for Barryrwrap solutions. Easy to convert, it is extremely smooth and exceptionally dense. This minimizes the coat weights required, while at the same time offering the strength to perform efficiently on high-speed lines. Lighter or heavier grammage of UPM Solide Lucent can be selected based on the application requirement.

“We have tested Barryrwrap solutions in new, demanding applications for fibre-based and recyclable packaging, such as canister-type formats suitable for products like chips or drink powders. Sample canisters are available at the Fachpack trade fair in Nuremburg in September, where we invite everyone interested in Barryrwrap solutions and UPM Solide Lucent base paper to meet our experts”, says Mika Uusikartano, Senior Manager, Product Portfolio Management, UPM Specialty Papers.

Safe for food contact and compliant with recyclability requirements, Barryrwrap solutions and UPM Solide Lucent base paper will be on display at UPM Specialty Papers’ stand 329, Hall 3A at Fachpack, Nuremburg, Germany, September 23rd-25th.

* recyclable: CEPI/4EG Technical Recyclability Score (v. 2.0 Jan 2025) and PTS RH 021/97 Cat II

Link to images: https://materialhub.upm.com/l/mj6pXfK9LVNr

For further information please contact:
Säde Lindvall, Senior Manager, Brand and Communication, UPM Specialty Papers, sade.lindvall@upm.com
Mark Gerritsen, Sales Manager, Royal Vaassen, mgerritsen@royalvaassen.com 

UPM, Media relations
Mon-Fri 9:00–16:00 EEST
tel. +358 40 588 3284
media@upm.com

UPM Specialty Papers
UPM Specialty Papers has over 40 years of experience producing high-performance, transformative papers for packaging and labelling. In APAC, we also offer office and graphic papers. Our global team of 2,000 experts and mills in China, Finland and Germany serve customers consistently and reliably around the world. upmspecialtypapers.com

Follow UPM Specialty Papers on LinkedIn.

UPM
UPM is a material solutions company, renewing products and entire value chains with an extensive portfolio of renewable fibres, advanced materials, decarbonization solutions, and communication papers. Our performance in sustainability has been recognized by third parties, including EcoVadis and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. We operate globally and employ approximately 15,800 people worldwide, with annual sales of approximately €10.3 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.
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