Sappi Fine Paper launched the Algro Guard M and Leine Guard M barrier paper grades at interpack 2014. These sustainable and recyclable packaging materials address concerns about migration of mineral oil into food from packaging that is manufactured from recycled paper.
Food migration issues have arisen because of packaging materials containing recycled fibres for which one of the primary raw materials is newspapers. Newspaper printing inks contain mineral oil as solvents, as do many commercial printing inks. During the recycling process only 90% of the printing ink components can be removed.
If these substrates are used for food packaging applications, the mineral oil compounds can migrate from the cardboard into food, even when an inner bag is used. Dry and greasy foods such as rice, pasta, cereal and chocolate products are especially affected.
Developed in partnership with BASF and Eurofins, the innovative flexpack substrate received very positive market feedback following its introduction at Fachpack 2013. Brand owners can now use their current recycled fibre based folding boxes, shelf-ready packs and transport boxes.
The food inside will be protected by inner bags, pouches and sachets made from Sappi mineral oil barrier papers such as:
• Leine Guard M for inner bags that combine Machine Glazed Bleached Kraft (MGBK) paper with the mineral oil barrier on the reverse side. It is available in 80g/sqm to 120g/sqm.
• Algro Guard M has been designed for gravure printed primary packaging such as pouches, sachets, bags and wrappers, and is available in 90g/sqm to 140g/sqm. This grade incorporates a blade coating on the top side for gravure printability with the mineral oil barrier on the reverse side.
Algro Guard M and Leine Guard M protect packaged food from mineral oil compounds that are a complex mixture of saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and unsaturated hydrocarbons (MOAH). This new mineral oil barrier functionality protects food for minimum 15 months and as there is no use of PET or aluminium. It is a sustainable, environmentally friendly and cost effective material.
