Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) and Solenis, a global leader in specialty chemicals, have announced a groundbreaking partnership aimed at advancing sustainability in paper packaging. The collaboration focuses on integrating barrier coatings, which protect against water, vapour, liquids, oils, and fats, directly into the existing roll-fed flexo printing process with HEIDELBERG’s Boardmaster.
The partnership was unveiled at Fachpack 2024 in Nuremberg, Germany, and is set to revolutionize fibre-based packaging by offering a cost-effective solution that combines HEIDELBERG’s cutting-edge printing technology with Solenis’ innovative barrier coatings. This process is tailored to meet the growing global demand for sustainable, recyclable, and compostable packaging.
Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology and Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG, emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating, “The flexible paper packaging sector is an attractive growth market for us, driven by the need for cost-effective, sustainable solutions. With the Boardmaster’s impressive production speed of up to 600 meters per minute and availability rates of up to 90 percent, we are well-positioned to deliver efficient, eco-friendly packaging for the food industry.”
This partnership will focus on seamlessly integrating the chemical composition of Solenis’ barrier coatings with the high-performance capabilities of HEIDELBERG’s Boardmaster machine. By reducing the reliance on plastics, the two companies aim to provide packaging manufacturers with environmentally friendly alternatives that enhance barrier functionality while maintaining cost-efficiency.
William Kuecker, Senior Director of Strategic Marketing at Solenis, highlighted the importance of the collaboration, saying, “Packaging companies are under increasing pressure to optimize processes while meeting sustainability goals. Our partnership with HEIDELBERG pushes the boundaries for paper packaging, allowing manufacturers to improve operational efficiency, enhance product performance, and meet the demand for greener packaging solutions.”
Together, HEIDELBERG and Solenis are set to provide packaging producers with new opportunities in the flexible paper sector, offering solutions that are reusable, recyclable, renewable, and compostable—ushering in a new era of sustainable packaging innovation.
