Renewable packaging materials supplier UPM Specialty Papers has joined forces with Henkel and Koenig & Bauer to co-create digitally printable confectionery pouches.
The heat-sealable packaging is designed to meet the specific needs of brand owners and converters.
The ‘doypack’ pouch features barrier properties that are suitable for all printing methods, including digital.
The packaging is said to be recyclable in existing fibre recycling streams and completely safe for food contact.
The doypack confectionery pouch features UPM's Asendo barrier paper, which underwent testing and optimisation on a Koenig & Bauer RotaJET digital press.
The digital printing technology employed allows the production of small batches, catering to specific marketing campaigns or localised packaging needs, something not affordable by traditional printing methods.
Henkel coated the prototype packaging with its AQUENCE EPIX BC 6134 FL coating, which provides resistance to moisture and grease, along with excellent sealing properties.
This makes the pouch suitable for a range of food products, including confectionery, frozen food, and bakery items.
UPM R&D senior researcher Aleksi Pekkanen said: "UPM, Koenig & Bauer Digital & Webfed, and Henkel have worked smoothly together to ensure the project runs efficiently and effectively, leveraging the strengths of each party and showcasing the latest advancements in digital printing and sustainable packaging solutions.
"The materials used in the doypack pouches are designed to run seamlessly across different processes, ensuring high runnability and consistent quality."
The pouches themselves are produced at Pack Company.
UPM's range of barrier and barrier base papers, including Asendo, Asendo Pro, Solide Lucent, and Prego, are optimised for additional coatings to enhance protective properties and enable heat- or cold-sealing, delivering medium to high barrier levels depending on the application.
In May this year, UPM Specialty Papers collaborated with BOBST and Siegwerk to create opportunities for UPM’s packaging papers on standard flexographic printing machines.
