UPM Specialty Materials and BASF are joining forces to speed up the shift toward recyclable, fiber-based packaging, targeting brand owners, converters, and formulators looking to move away from conventional mixed-material structures.
The collaboration combines UPM Specialty Materials barrier and barrier base papers with BASF’s Joncryl HPB high-performance barrier resin technology. Together, the materials are designed to deliver strong protection performance while supporting design-for-recycling goals across food and non-food packaging.
The push comes as the industry faces tightening regulation and rising recyclability targets, including new European packaging rules on packaging and packaging waste. The direction is clear: packaging design is being reshaped around recyclability from the ground up.
UPM’s portfolio includes barrier papers such as UPM Solide Lucent and UPM Asendo, engineered for demanding converting and printing applications. When paired with BASF’s waterborne coating systems based on Joncryl HPB resins, they enable fiber-based packaging formats aimed at replacing plastic-heavy or PE-laminated solutions.
“The transition to recyclable fiber-based packaging requires both advanced barrier performance and close collaboration across the value chain. Our barrier papers are developed to support co-creation with partners, enabling new, high-performance packaging applications.
"The collaboration with BASF demonstrates how combining innovative barrier technologies with barrier papers can deliver functional, recyclable solutions that accelerate the packaging transformation,” said Mika Uusikartano, Senior Manager, Product Portfolio Management, UPM Specialty Materials.
BASF says demand is accelerating across the packaging value chain as brand owners and converters race to meet sustainability commitments.
“The demand for sustainable packaging solutions is growing rapidly along the value chain – from brand owners to converters and formulators. UPM’s premium paper grades for flexible packaging, combined with barrier coatings based on waterborne Joncryl HPB resins from BASF form a strong and credible reference approach for the development of paper-based alternatives designed to replace plastic-based or PE-laminated structures,” said Rolf Alles, Director of Sales Resins EMEA at BASF.
The partnership will be showcased at interpack 2026, running May 7–13 in Düsseldorf, Germany, where jointly developed samples will demonstrate performance and recyclability potential.
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