Functional solutions for packaging and fibre-based materials
The packaging industry is undergoing profound change. Companies are increasingly seeking material solutions that combine functionality, product protection, regulatory requirements and industrial processability. Paper, board and other fibre-based materials can be used for numerous packaging applications. Depending on their intended use, they may require additional functional properties, for example protection against moisture, oxygen, grease or other product-specific influences. nanopool develops specialised technologies for the functional enhancement of paper- and fibre-based materials and supports companies in developing application-specific packaging and material concepts.
Manufacturers, brand owners and packaging developers face the challenge of combining the required packaging functions with suitable materials and industrially viable processing methods.
Typical challenges include:
The suitability of a material solution always depends on the specific packaging application, the substrate used, the packaged product and the respective storage and conditions of use.
SiOPack® is a specialised technology for the functional enhancement of paper- and fibre-based materials.
SiOPack® can provide paper, board and other fibre-based materials with additional application-specific properties. Depending on the substrate and system used, properties relating to water, water vapour, oxygen or grease, for example, can be specifically influenced.
The technology therefore opens up additional possibilities for the development of functional packaging concepts based on paper- and fibre-based materials.
The properties that can actually be achieved depend on the paper or fibre-based material used, the coating structure, the application quantity, the processing method and the respective requirements profile. They are therefore tested and assessed on a project-specific basis.
Paper and board packaging
Potential applications:
SiOPack® can be used to:
Whether a material is suitable for the intended packaging must be assessed on the basis of the complete packaging structure and the respective conditions of use.
Food packaging
Potential applications:
When suitably designed, SiOPack® can help to:
Tests relating to relevant food-law requirements are available for selected paper samples treated with SiOPack®. One tested paper sample met the examined requirements of BfR Recommendation XXXVI. Further testing included sensory assessments, overall migration and analyses of MOSH/MOAH and selected fluorinated compounds.
These results apply exclusively to the respective materials, coatings and test conditions examined. The suitability of a specific packaging solution under food law must be assessed on the basis of the complete material structure, the intended food product and the actual conditions of contact.
Speciality papers and transparent fibre-based solutions
One particular area of application for SiOPack® is the functional enhancement of glassine paper for packaging and speciality-paper applications.
A SiOPack® solution specially developed for this purpose can specifically influence the transparency of suitable glassine papers.
In a test conducted by PTS – Institut für Fasern & Papier gGmbH, a transparency value of 92.3% in accordance with DIN 53147 was determined for Ahlstrom Cristal glassine paper with a grammage of 30 g/m² coated with SiOPack®.
The achievable result depends in particular on the substrate used, its grammage and structure, the coating application and the processing conditions. The tested value therefore cannot be directly transferred to other paper grades or production conditions.
The technology therefore opens up additional possibilities for transparent, paper-based packaging and speciality-paper concepts in which the properties of the substrate are to be specifically enhanced.
Pharmaceutical, healthcare and technical applications
Potential areas of application:
SiOPack® can support the development of material concepts with defined functional properties.
Pharmaceutical, medical and other regulated applications always require separate assessment. This does not constitute confirmation of general suitability for primary packaging, sterile applications or direct contact with medicinal products and medical devices.
SiOPack® is intended for companies seeking to develop packaging concepts or specifically adapt the properties of paper- and fibre-based materials to a particular requirements profile.
Potential areas of application include:
The properties that can be achieved and the suitability of a material for its intended application are assessed on a project-specific basis, taking into account the substrate and the respective requirements profile.
Further information about the technology, development projects and potential areas of application can be found on the SiOPack® website.
SiOPack® was developed for the functional enhancement of paper- and fibre-based materials.
Previous areas of development and application include:
Internal and external test results are available for selected material structures. These cover, among other properties, transparency, fibre recovery, water absorption, water-vapour and oxygen barriers, as well as parameters relevant to food law.
All values relate to the materials and test conditions examined in each case. They do not constitute a general assurance that identical properties will be achieved with other papers, packaging solutions or production processes.
SiOPack® supports companies in developing functional packaging and material concepts based on paper, board and other fibre-based materials.
Depending on the substrate and the respective application, the technology can help to:
Whether and to what extent conventional plastic solutions can be replaced or the proportion of plastic in a packaging solution can be reduced depends on the complete packaging structure and its actual function. A separate assessment must therefore be conducted for each application.
Tests by independent institutes are available for selected SiOPack® products, paper grades and material structures.
Documented areas of testing include:
The test results relate to the specific sample examined, the test method applied and the defined test conditions.
In addition, nanopool and its technology development have received multiple awards. These awards recognise, among other things, the company’s innovative achievements and development expertise.
Awards do not in themselves constitute evidence of specific environmental, safety or performance characteristics of a product. Such properties are communicated exclusively on the basis of the relevant tests and supporting evidence.
The technology is aimed particularly at:
SiOPack® is a technology for the functional enhancement of paper- and fibre-based materials. It enables selected properties of paper, board and other fibre-based materials to be adapted to specific packaging or material requirements.
The specific performance profile is tailored to the respective substrate and intended application.
SiOPack® can be used for various types of paper, board and fibre-based materials. These include glassine and selected packaging and speciality papers.
Technical suitability must be assessed for the respective material, processing method and intended application.
SiOPack® was developed, among other purposes, to specifically influence the transparency of suitable glassine papers.
In a test conducted by PTS, a transparency value of 92.3% in accordance with DIN 53147 was determined for SiOPack®-coated Ahlstrom Cristal glassine paper with a grammage of 30 g/m².
The achievable result depends on the substrate and the respective processing conditions and may differ for other materials.
Functional paper- and fibre-based materials can acquire additional application-specific properties. Depending on the material and system used, barrier properties against water, water vapour, oxygen or grease, for example, can be achieved.
Whether the properties achieved are sufficient for a specific packaging application must be assessed on the basis of the respective product, storage and conditions of use.
Tests relating to relevant food-law requirements are available for selected treated paper samples. One tested paper sample met the requirements of BfR Recommendation XXXVI. Sensory testing involving dry and fatty foods was also conducted.
These results do not automatically apply to every SiOPack® application. The suitability of the specific packaging material under food law must be assessed with consideration given to the complete material structure, the food product and the intended conditions of contact.
Analyses of selected per- and polyfluorinated compounds are available for the product or samples examined. The substances analysed were below the respective limits of quantification or reporting limits.
As the term “PFAS-free” does not provide a standardised indication of which substances and detection limits are covered, it should only be used together with the specific scope of testing and the respective limits of quantification.
A fibre recovery rate of 98.5% was determined for one tested material structure in a PTS study.
This result relates exclusively to the sample examined and the test method applied. The actual recyclability of finished packaging depends, among other factors, on the complete material structure, additional components such as inks, adhesives and closures, and the available collection and recycling infrastructure.
SiOPack® can help provide paper- and fibre-based materials with additional functional properties. Whether this allows plastic to be replaced or reduced in a specific packaging solution depends on the required protective functions, the packaged product, its shelf life, the transport conditions and the complete packaging structure.
General suitability as a replacement for plastic packaging is therefore not assured.
Potential areas of application include the food, pharmaceutical, healthcare and cosmetics industries, as well as branded packaging, technical packaging and speciality papers.
Suitability depends on the specific requirements of the respective application.
nanopool develops specialised technologies for the functional enhancement of paper- and fibre-based materials.
With SiOPack®, selected properties of paper, board and other fibre-based materials can be specifically adapted to particular packaging requirements. Development is carried out on a project-specific basis, taking into account the material used, the intended product and the respective requirements profile.
In this way, nanopool supports companies in developing technically suitable material and packaging concepts and testing their performance under defined conditions.
Tell us about your packaging application and your material. We advise packaging manufacturers, paper and board producers and brand owners on functionalised fibre-based solutions with SiOPack®.
