UPM Specialty Materials (UPM) and BASF are collaborating to help brand owners, converters and formulators accelerate the transition to recyclable, fiber-based packaging solutions. By combining UPM’s barrier and barrier base papers with BASF’s Joncryl HPB (high performance barrier) barrier technology resins, the collaboration enables high‑performance, fiber-based materials while supporting the transition away from conventional mixed packaging structures.

Driven by increasing regulatory requirements and ambitious recyclability targets (e.g. Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste), the packaging industry is increasingly moving towards design-for-recycling concepts. The collaboration between UPM and BASF demonstrates how carefully matched materials and barrier technologies can deliver excellent protection performance while enabling recyclable, fiber-based packaging.

UPM’s barrier and barrier base papers, such as UPM Solide Lucent and UPM Asendo, are specifically designed for demanding packaging converting and printing applications. When combined with coatings based on BASF’s Joncryl HPB polymers, they enable the development of packaging materials suitable for a wide range of food and non-food applications that meet demanding regulatory requirements.

Photo: BASF