Press Release

Impervious and environmentally friendly - the new barrier system for folding boxboard

Smurfit Kappa Carton introduces Grease Guard and Vapor Guard environmentally friendly barrier systems

Gernsbach/Hoya/Weisenbach, 5 June 2007/LG: With Grease Guard and Vapor Guard, Smurfit Kappa Carton introduces a new flexible barrier system that is free from substances that pollute the environment. Smurfit Kappa Carton, one of the leading European boxboard manufacturer and converter offers Hansaboard (GD2) and Euroboard Special White (GT2), top quality boxboard with grease, moisture and vapour barriers especially suited to the requirements of foodstuff, pet food and detergent suppliers.

The call for environmentally friendly barrier board has been steadily increasing in recent times. Consumers, environmental protection agencies and suppliers have been increasingly concerned about the use of perfluoride chemicals as these are known to be hazardous to both health and the environment. Grease Guard and Vapor Guard, the new barriers from Smurfit Kappa Carton, are free from perfluorides and meet the highest environmental and quality standards. They fulfil the requirements of the 36th Recommendation of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and are suitable for packaging foodstuffs, pet foods, washing powders or detergents without using perflourinated compounds or polyethylene. Thus the new barrier system is environmentally friendly and doesn't pose a health risk.

The first Mirroblade® boxboard production line and the new barrier components developed in cooperation with Akzo Nobel

The use of the new environmentally friendly barrier components, developed jointly with the Akzo Nobel Innovation Unit, was facilitated by Mirroblade Technology. This works without drives, instead it uses the geometry of specially arranged coating blades and can be precisely controlled, while and simultaneously coating the front and back of boxboard.

Thus the most diverse requirements for grease or vapour barrier functionality in the widest range of applications are met while still achieving the highest surface quality.

"Through the introduction of the first Mirroblade® boxboard coating line together with the newly developed barrier components, Smurfit Kappa Carton has set new standards for barrier solutions", explained Wolfgang Suerbaum, the CEO of Smurfit Kappa Carton. "We're reacting to the increased public demand for environmentally friendly packaging that is not a health hazard. Manufacturers, the trade and the consumer expect safe, environmentally friendly packaging solutions."

Best printing results and high convertability

Combined with the high quality of Hoya boxboard regarding stiffness, surface and printability, the new barrier board distinguishes itself with converters and packers alike in its high functionality and exceptional machinability. It has a smooth finish that takes printing exceptionally well and without the disadvantages of compound surfaces such as PE sandwich coatings. Additional waste separation is no longer necessary as the packaging is recyclable. Hansaboard (GD2) and Euroboard Special White (GT2), the two boxboard types well known to the market, are both available with the option of Grease Guard or Vapor Guard as protection against grease or vapour.