Henkel Strengthens Paper Packaging with Expanded Barrier and Heat-Seal Coatings Portfolio

Paper-based packaging is no longer just about brand image—especially in the food and e‑commerce sectors. Growing regulatory pressure, including the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), is accelerating the shift toward sustainable and fully recyclable solutions among brand owners and packaging manufacturers. To help with this change while still keeping products safe and operations running smoothly, Henkel Adhesive Technologies is adding more water-based barrier and heat seal coatings to its product line. These solutions enhance the performance of paper-based packaging while reinforcing design-for-recycling principles.

From Plastic to Paper: Heat Seal Coatings Enable a Wide Range of Applications

By delivering reliable heat-sealing performance on paper, Henkel is enabling a wide range of paper-based packaging applications that have traditionally been dominated by plastic solutions. These include formats that require sealed seams such as bags, sachets, and shipping packaging for small goods like screws and toys, as well as dry food and hygiene products.

On suitable paper substrates, the heat-seal coatings ensure strong bonding through thermal activation. The solutions in Henkel’s paper coatings portfolio are designed to perform effectively even at low sealing temperatures and high production line speeds. In addition, they are repulpable, recycling-compatible, and compliant with FDA and EU food contact regulations. To further enhance process control and reliability, a UV tracer variant is also available, supporting application monitoring and quality assurance during production.

Reliable Protection for Paper‑Based Packaging with Barrier Coatings

Depending on the intended use of paper packaging, the focus extends beyond secure and efficient sealing to also include effective protection of contents through functional barrier properties. Barrier coatings give important protection to paper-based packaging, allowing uses that used to depend on plastic or multi-layer materials. With the right formulation, these coatings provide resistance to grease, water, and moisture, while also ensuring reliable heat-sealing performance. In response to growing market demand, Henkel has expanded and optimised its portfolio with coating solutions that ensure consistent barrier performance for both primary and secondary packaging. These solutions can be easily integrated into standard coating and packaging processes and are also repulpable and compatible with recycling requirements.

“With our expanded paper coatings portfolio, we enable paper-based packaging that is ready for current market demands. By providing the necessary barrier and sealing properties for numerous applications in the food and non-food sectors, we are not only supporting the shift towards recyclable packaging solutions but also helping customers to achieve their sustainability targets within the scope of the PPWR,” says Dr. Arianna Savini, Market Strategy Manager Paper Packaging Europe at Henkel Adhesive Technologies.

Source: Henkel