Bielefeld, Germany-based speciality paper manufacturer Mitsubishi HiTec Paper and pouch making machine expert SN Maschinenbau have joined forces to demonstrate the capability of water-coated barrier papers to run on pouch packaging machines as reliably as films.
Mitsubishi HiTec Paper has for several years offered its barricote range of recyclable barrier papers for flexible packaging of food and non-food products. These flexible packaging papers are made from virgin fibres, include a high content of biodegradable ingredients, are fully recyclable in the waste paper cycle, and can be printed on the reverse side with offset and flexo. SN Maschinenbau meanwhile is known worldwide for horizontal form, fill and seal (HFFS) machines for a wide variety of products, especially food.
In close cooperation and after numerous test runs, the two companies have now proved that the water-coated barricote papers can be processed on SN Maschinenbau pouch packaging machines, ‘just as reliably as films’. This is noted as eliminating the need for costly retrofitting of the machine technology.
Andreas Carstensen, application engineer at Mitsubishi HiTec Paper, said, ‘We were able to successfully test our barricote grades Liner MG, Liner MGO, Bag WG and Bag WGOM for use as stand-up pouches at SN Maschinenbau. All barrier papers performed equally in the process as established plastic materials. Our papers not only provide barriers against water vapour, grease, oil, oxygen and aroma, but also against mineral oil migration. They are also recyclable in the waste paper cycle and are made from renewable raw materials, they are heat-sealable as well as FSC and PEFC certified.’
Reiner Müller, director of business development and global accounts at SN Maschinenbau, added, ‘As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of horizontally operating pouch packaging machines, we are delighted with the excellent cooperation with Mitsubishi HiTec Paper and the positive test results. This proves once again that a large part of today’s sustainable mono packaging materials can be processed reliably without extensive adaptation of the machine technology. Furthermore, together with Mitsubishi HiTec Paper, we offer a solution for the increasing demand for paper packaging in the market.’
