In a strategic collaboration that reinforces the future of sustainable packaging, Royal Vaassen, a Dutch flexible packaging supplier, has partnered with UPM Specialty Papers to unveil Barryrwrap—a new line of recyclable barrier paper packaging that meets the rising demands of both food safety and recyclability.

The innovation revolves around the integration of UPM's Solide Lucent packaging paper as the base material. Known for its smoothness, density, and adaptable grammage, Solide Lucent delivers the structural foundation necessary for high-speed packaging lines while reducing the need for heavy coatings. This results in a durable yet eco-efficient solution, ideal for food-grade packaging.

According to Mark Gerritsen, Sales Manager at Royal Vaassen, Barryrwrap offers a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic laminates and multilayer structures. He explains: "Our barrier papers offer strong protection with a focus on performance and circularity, and are suitable for existing production lines and products such as coffee, stock, and chocolate."

The Barryrwrap range is engineered for a spectrum of applications, featuring medium to high barrier capabilities. Particularly noteworthy is Barryrwrap Everest, designed to address the packaging challenges of instant coffee and other dry goods. This high-performance variant delivers robust resistance to moisture, oxygen, and light—three of the most critical factors in food preservation.

"With its fully recyclable paper structure, Barryrwrap Everest is a sustainable and circular alternative to traditional aluminium laminates, without compromising on quality or processability," said Gerritsen.

In line with the upcoming EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which mandates recyclability and reduced environmental impact, the Barryrwrap solutions are positioned as fully compliant. Their paper-based structure allows them to be processed in existing paper recycling streams, eliminating the complexities associated with composite material recovery.

From a technical standpoint, the UPM Solide Lucent paper enables customizability through adjustable grammage and ensures compatibility with high-speed production lines—critical for large-scale implementation. The surface is optimized for high-quality print reproduction, which is essential for branded food packaging.

Mika Uusikartano, Senior Manager of Product Portfolio Management at UPM Specialty Papers, highlighted the material’s versatility: "We have tested Barryrwrap solutions in new, demanding applications for fibre-based and recyclable packaging, such as canister-type formats suitable for products like chips or drink powders."

To showcase these innovations, sample canisters will be available at the upcoming Fachpack trade fair in Nuremberg this September, offering stakeholders an opportunity to experience firsthand the performance and sustainability potential of Barryrwrap.

As consumer and regulatory pressure mounts for greener packaging solutions, the Royal Vaassen-UPM alliance signals a decisive step towards scalable, recyclable, and high-barrier alternatives—replacing aluminium and plastic without compromising efficiency or safety.