Food and drink manufacturers are under increasing pressure from the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). In response, Sappi has introduced the industry’s most comprehensive range of heat-sealable functional papers. This expanded “Seal” portfolio offers converters and brand owners a fibre-based alternative to traditional plastic and composite materials, maintaining both production speed and shelf appeal.
The Seal range includes Seal Silk, Seal G Silk, Seal Pure Silk, Seal Natural, Seal Light, and Seal Lucent, covering weights from 44 to 110 gsm. By offering finishes such as OBA-free and translucent options, Sappi addresses the industry’s demand for “mono-material” solutions fully recyclable within existing paper waste streams.
Manufacturers have historically faced challenges in moving away from plastic, primarily due to the “risk vs. cost” factors during machine transitions. Sappi’s Seal range is engineered to deliver stable sealing results and robust mechanical strength, ensuring smooth operation on current packaging lines. These materials are designed to replace PE-coated papers and various plastic laminates, while retaining the “hot-tack” performance needed for vertical and horizontal form-fill-seal (VFFS/HFFS) equipment.
Michael Bethge, Sales Director Flexible Packaging at Sappi, states, “We’re seeing brand owners and printers look for reliable ways to change their packaging without adding risk or cost. They need practical choices rather than one fixed solution, along with technical support during the transition. The Seal range reflects that feedback.”
The portfolio is tailored to specific aesthetic and functional requirements across the grocery sector. For confectionery and snacks, Seal Silk and G Silk grades (up to 110 gsm) are optimised for multi-packs, twisted products, and Neapolitans, supporting high-quality flexo and gravure printing. The Seal Light range offers a 44 gsm option, providing a lightweight solution for converters aiming to reduce material usage in sachets, stick packs, and pillow bags. For brands requiring product visibility, the translucent Seal Lucent grade enables window-style packaging, while the OBA-free Seal Pure Silk offers a natural, matte finish for premium or organic brands.
Recognising that transitioning from plastic to paper encompasses more than just a material change, Sappi provides comprehensive technical support. This includes on-site guidance during trial runs to calibrate sealing temperatures, dwell times, and machine settings. This “one-stop” approach is designed to help manufacturers achieve a lower total cost of ownership by reducing trial-and-error during the transition.
