Billerud brings coated kraftliners to US market for sustainability and cost-performance boosts

16 Aug 2023 --- Paper and packaging materials manufacturer Billerud continues its expansion into the North American market with the US launch of its coated white top kraftliners. The company’s Pure Coated Liner portfolio includes a double-coated white top kraftliner for litho-laminated packaging and a light-coated white top kraftliner with a smooth surface.

The first one, Pure Supreme, is suitable for high-quality prints and effects like lacquer, foil and embossing, while the other is dubbed Pure Decor and is suited for pre- and post-print flexo- and digital print applications. 

“These coated kraftliners are ideal for shelf-ready packaging, packaging for F&B and high-value consumer goods such as consumer electronics,” Rolf Gustafsson, senior director of product management containerboard at Billerud, tells Packaging Insights.

“Our coated kraftliners are built up in multi-ply constructions (layers), which enables us to combine excellent printability with high strength.” 

Lightweighted strength
Gustafsson shares that the kraftliners are unique from the current market solutions due to their increased strength. “With high strength properties – a combination of compression strength and tensile stiffness – it is possible to use a lower basis weight reducing the weight of the final box,” he says.

“By using a strong packaging material, you can use less material, enabling lower packaging costs, reduced transport costs and less environmental impact. In addition, with strong packaging and packaging materials, product damages and waste can be reduced.”Billerud coated kraftliners are ideal for shelf-ready, F&B and high-value consumer goods packaging.

The company details that the paper’s strength and stiffness allow for lighter paper grades, improved print quality and reduced washboarding. As a result, converters do not have to compromise between print quality, environmental sustainability benefits and packaging performance.

“We only use strong virgin fibers sourced from responsible forestry. This enables us to offer our customers robust and clean boxes, which improve brand image and generate performant packaging with reduced product waste – a necessity for today’s premium consumer goods brands,” says Gustafsson.

“Strong liners with excellent printability don’t need to be thick and heavy. With 100% virgin fibers and a multi-layer construction, Billerud’s coated liners are so strong that packaging converters can use a lighter base weight which means better packaging performance and runnability at lower costs.”

Gains and losses
Earlier this year, Billerud presented a machine-glazed kraft paper adapted and validated for wrapping toilet and kitchen paper rolls. The company said the machine-glazed kraft paper is as resilient as PE plastics due to its long virgin fibers.

Billerud also divested its Managed Packaging business unit, which offers packaging solutions to global brand owners. The intention to divest resulted from Billerud’s focus on packaging materials, reducing the strategic importance of service offerings. The transaction with investment company Mimir Group is expected to be completed this month. 

By Radhika Sikaria