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# UPM investigates starch-based grease barriers for paper food packaging
- URL: https://www.packagingeurope.com/upm-investigates-starch-based-grease-barriers-for-paper-food-packaging/
- Published: 2026-10-22T07:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-22T06:59:59.000Z
- Author: Packaging Europe staff writers
- Tags: Renewables, Collaboration, Sustainability, Recyclability, Flexibles, Siegwerk, Food

[**UPM**](https://www.upm.com/?ref=packagingeurope.com) **is working with** [**Ingredion**](https://www.ingredion.com/na/en-us/?ref=packagingeurope.com) **and** [**Paramelt**](https://www.paramelt.com/?ref=packagingeurope.com) **to research the use of starch-based barrier technologies for recyclable paper food packaging, and has developed paper-based secondary packaging alongside** [**Siegwerk**](https://www.siegwerk.com/en/home.html?ref=packagingeurope.com) **and** [**Uteco**](https://www.uteco.com/en?ref=packagingeurope.com)**.**

In one development, UPM is working alongside Ingredion and Paramelt to investigate how plant-based grease barriers derived from starch could support the development of recyclable paper-based food packaging.

So far, it has resulted in a co-created paper-based packaging structure that has passed Part 1 recyclability testing at [Western Michigan University](https://wmich.edu/?ref=packagingeurope.com). This solution is based on [UPM Solide Lucent](https://www.upmspecialtymaterials.com/products/paper-catalogue/categories/packaging-papers/upm-solide-lucent/?ref=packagingeurope.com) 78 gsm barrier base paper.

The collaboration also utilizes [UPM Asendo](https://www.upmspecialtymaterials.com/products/paper-catalogue/categories/packaging-papers/barrier-paper-upm-asendo/?ref=packagingeurope.com) 65 gsm barrier papers and combines complementary technologies from across the value chain to understand how paper-based packaging structures can be designed for demanding food applications.

This includes Ingredion’s starch-based barrier technologies and Paramelt’s knowledge of biobased heat-seal and barrier coatings, which are brought together in a bid to evaluate how different technologies can work together in paper-based packaging structures.

“Expanding the range of paper-based packaging options available to converters and brand owners requires innovation across the value chain,” says Sarah Dembroski, sales director, Packaging Papers Americas, UPM Specialty Materials. “This collaboration with Ingredion and Paramelt demonstrates how complementary technologies can help broaden the possibilities of paper-based packaging for food applications in the Americas and globally.”

“By combining Ingredion's plant-based starch barrier coatings with UPM's Specialty Materials substrates and Paramelt's heat-seal coatings, we have demonstrated a paper-based packaging solution that supports the transition to more sustainable food packaging,” continues Anand Sundararaman, project leader, Sustainable Packaging Coating Applications at Ingredion.

“This collaboration highlights how complementary technologies can help accelerate the adoption of renewable, fibre-based packaging solutions.”

“At Paramelt, we believe the future of packaging lies in combining renewable materials with high-performance functionality,” adds Neill Dutton, Research & Innovation director at Paramelt.

“By bringing our expertise in bio-based heat-seal and barrier coatings together with UPM's advanced paper substrates and Ingredion's starch-based technologies, we have created a compelling solution that helps brand owners meet both performance and sustainability objectives.”

Meanwhile, [UPM Specialty Materials](https://www.upmspecialtymaterials.com/?ref=packagingeurope.com) has joined forces with Siegwerk and Uteco to develop a paper-based solution for secondary packaging. It combines UPM barrier base paper with Siegwerk’s CIRKIT BAR SEAL coating, applied using Uteco’s high-definition flexographic technology to deliver moisture and grease resistance, heat sealing and recyclability through standard paper recycling streams (CEPI/4evergreen v2).

The solution is designed as a practical entry point into paper packaging for brand owners, converters, and machine builders. It is set to increase renewable material content and test paper-based formats in demanding applications, while the primary packaging maintains product integrity.

“As packaging legislation, such as EU PPWR, evolve globally, brand owners need practical ways to reduce plastic without compromising performance,” says Marco Tramontano, sales director at UPM Specialty Materials. “Together with Uteco and Siegwerk, we have shown that paper content can be increased to up to 90% in such packaging, while maintaining the performance required for demanding applications.” 

“Coatings play a critical role in enabling the next generation of paper packaging,” says Gilles Le Moigne, head of Circular Economy Coatings at Siegwerk. “By applying our CIRKIT BAR SEAL technology onto UPM's barrier paper using Uteco's advanced flexographic process, we have created a recyclable paper-based solution that delivers the functional performance converters and brand owners expect.

“This project shows how innovation in coatings can help unlock new opportunities for reducing dependence on fossil-based packaging materials.”

“Our joint production trial showed that paper packaging can perform efficiently at industrial scale,” adds Uteco’s Printing & Technical Department. “By integrating coating, printing and heat sealing in a single pass, made possible by advanced technology and the right equipment, this solution helps converters produce functional paper packaging while saving time, energy and production costs.”

Samples of the starch-based barriers and secondary packaging were displayed at UPM’s booth (W-46118) at Pack Expo in Chicago.

These developments come after UPM Specialty Materials revealed its new [UPM Asendo](https://www.packagingeurope.com/upm-extends-barrier-paper-technology-for-label-face-papers/) 80 grade, extending its barrier paper technology to label face papers for the first time. Reportedly, UPM Asendo 80 unlocks grease resistance without using PFAS.

In other news, our [latest report](https://www.packagingeurope.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-biobased-barrier-paper-coatings/) details the current industry landscape for biobased barrier coatings for paper; the materials currently in use, the benefits and drawbacks, and how businesses can go about testing and implementing such coatings in their own packaging applications.

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[*PPWR timeline: the key dates to know*](https://packagingeurope.com/features/ppwr-timeline-the-key-dates-to-know/14377.article?ref=packagingeurope.com)

[*A closer look at the most innovative packaging solutions*](https://packagingeurope.com/features/the-ultimate-guide-to-packaging-innovation-in-2026/13821.article?ref=packagingeurope.com)

[*Strategic learnings from the Sustainable Packaging Summit*](https://packagingeurope.com/features/strategic-learnings-from-the-2025-sustainable-packaging-summit/13750.article?ref=packagingeurope.com)