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Packaging specialist testing grease-resistant food-safe paper on a commercial bakery production line.

Case Study: Food-Safe Grease-Resistant Paper for FMCG Packaging

Overview

A leading UK bakery manufacturer sought a reliable, food-safe packaging material that would withstand high-fat, high-moisture environments without compromising recyclability or operational efficiency. Their existing laminate-based solution had been causing inconsistent barrier performance and avoidable product spoilage during distribution.

Client Background

The client produces a broad range of baked goods supplied into major supermarkets, convenience retailers, and food-service operators. Their packaging materials must deliver consistent grease-barrier performance, remain compliant with UK/EU food-contact regulations, and integrate seamlessly into high-speed packing lines.

The Challenge

Their incumbent packaging supplier had been experiencing several recurring issues:

  • Grease breakthrough, during extended shelf-life tests
  • Inconsistent barrier performance, across different production batches
  • Packaging failures, during transit, resulting in increased waste
  • Limited recyclability, as the original material relied on mixed component structures

The manufacturer required a fibre-based solution that maintained barrier robustness while supporting wider sustainability goals across its product portfolio.

Our Approach

Our technical team collaborated closely with the client’s operations, quality, and packaging development departments. The joint focus was placed on identifying a substrate with stable barrier properties, food-safe chemistry, and strong mechanical performance under typical FMCG conditions.

A tailored grease-resistant paper was selected, incorporating an optimised coating layer that provided:

  • Consistent oil and grease resistance, validated through KIT and Cobb testing
  • High-strength surface integrity, reducing tearing during high-speed packing
  • Excellent printability, supporting retail-ready branding
  • A fully recyclable fibre-based structure, removing reliance on plastic laminate

Detailed trials were run on the customer’s lines, allowing real-world performance to be assessed and verified before full adoption.

The Outcome

The transition delivered measurable improvements across multiple operational and commercial areas:

  • Elimination of grease breakthrough, enhancing product presentation and shelf-life consistency
  • Reduced packaging spoilage, during transport and handling
  • Enhanced line efficiency, as the material ran cleanly at high speeds
  • Improved sustainability profile, supporting retailer expectations for fibre-based formats
  • Stronger brand impact, owing to improved surface quality and print performance

The project is now used as a model for future packaging developments within the client’s broader FMCG portfolio.

Summary

This collaboration demonstrates how fibre-based coated papers can deliver robust performance in demanding food-contact settings while offering clear sustainability and operational advantages. By pairing technical expertise with close customer engagement, a long-term, high-value packaging solution has been established.