Holmen Iggesund has introduced Bio E, a barrier coating option made from 75% renewable raw materials and approved for industrial composting.
Offered in combination with several of Holmen Iggesund’s paperboards, Bio E is a bio-based coating that is both liquid and grease resistant. It fulfils European and US FDA requirements for food contact, which makes it suitable for all kinds of food packaging. Bio E is also approved for use in microwave ovens.
Holmen Iggesund noted that whilst paperboard packaging has allowed many food and beverage brands to reduce their use of plastic and improve their carbon footprint, the barrier coatings laminated on paperboard to protect food continue to be made largely from fossil fuel-based plastics.
With Bio E being a barrier coating that is made from 75% renewable raw materials, it offers a ‘big improvement’, according to Per Berglund, Product manager, value-added products at Holmen Iggesund.
‘The previous generation of bio-based barriers were made from about 30% renewable raw materials, so Bio E offers a big improvement. Additionally, Bio E has been approved for industrial composting.’
Holmen Iggesund has identified Bio E as a ‘huge step’ in the ongoing efforts to develop completely fossil-free barrier coatings, but which don’t compromise any of the robustness, safety or functionality achieved with traditional plastic-based (PE) barrier coatings.
Mr Berglund said, ‘Now you don’t have to compromise on sustainability efforts with a PE-based coating when there’s a compostable alternative with Bio E.’
