UPM Specialty Papers has collaborated with bakery group Lantmännen Unibake and corrugated cardboard packaging manufacturer Adara to create a fibre-based packaging solution for the frozen baked goods market.

The collaboration aimed to introduce a sustainable alternative to minimise the use of fossil-based materials within the sector.

As part of this effort, the companies created a fibre-based solution using UPM’s Asendo barrier paper.

This barrier paper was used as an inner liner to replace plastic bags inside the corrugated cardboard box packaging of frozen bread.

UPM said that Asendo is a compostable, recyclable, barrier paper range.

Asendo is also claimed to be safe for direct food contact applications due to its high grease and moisture resistance.

It is suitable for dry, chilled and frozen foods, as well as for bread bags and even for non-food wrapping uses.

UPM product manager Kirsi Lahtela said: “The partnership with Lantmännen Unibake and Adara opened the opportunity to unite our expertise across the food packaging value network to create a renewable and recyclable packaging solution for frozen bread.

“Lantmännen Unibake and a third-party food industry development company conducted thorough testing and analysis on the impact of packaging materials on the taste of the frozen bread; as a result, UPM Asendo was chosen as the inner liner for the cardboard box.”

This new fibre packaging has been developed to address Unibake’s requirement for a sustainable alternative for its frozen baked goods.

Unibake Finland packaging development manager Riikka Salokannel said: “We are eager to drive innovations in our industry and find more sustainable packaging solutions.

“This new packaging innovation for frozen bakery products could not have been created without UPM Specialty Papers and Adara; it is a great example of how we can reduce the use of plastic in food packaging by working together with industry partners.”

In April this year, UPM collaborated with Henkel to create a new and sustainable alternative for protective and heat-sealable packaging.