Wipak launches curbside recyclable paper wrap for butter in UK-first

Keith Gater, Wipak UK’s technical development manager, in front of the new multi-million-pound combi laminator, which was used to develop the new butter wrap format.

09 Mar 2022 --- Wipak UK is launching a “UK-first” paper wrap for butter which can be recycled at curbside within the paper waste stream. The solution also boasts a 68% carbon footprint reduction when compared to market-standard wraps (aluminum, low-density polyethylene or paper laminate). 

Made from renewable, FSC-certified paper, the “highly decorative” butter wrap is aluminum-free and covered in highly advanced, ultra-thin natural coatings, which have “excellent” oxygen and water vapor barrier properties compared to standard paper and superior grease resistance, the company says.

“Most butter wraps in the UK market are made of parchment paper or a grease-resistant paper, which is commonly made into composite laminates with aluminum and polyethylene,” explains Keith Gater, Wipak UK’s technical development manager. “Although made from renewable resources, coated parchment papers do not promote a circular economy as they’re not easily recyclable.” 

“Unlike existing butter wraps on the market, which are complex material structures, our consumer-friendly paper solution is fully recyclable within the curbside paper and cardboard waste stream once it has been cleaned. What’s more, it maintains the look and feel of a traditional butter wrap, can be fully printed with brand imagery, and runs on existing butter wrap machinery.”

Innova Market Insights recently pegged “Monomaterial Mastery” as its second top packaging trend for 2022, highlighting the transition away from hard-to-recycle, multilayer packaging to monomaterial solutions that are recyclable through existing infrastructure.

Recyclability tests passed
Wipak UK’s recyclable butter wrap has scored an A+ rating in recycling tests (CEPI’s recyclability laboratory test method) carried out by the BioComposites Centre at Bangor University, UK, having previously passed shelf life trials from packing on automated wrapping lines.Wipak UK’s new format maintains the look and feel of a traditional butter wrap.

“This [CEPI] classification is the highest possible score that can be achieved for paper recycling efficiency, whereby the pulp recovery must be a minimum of 98.5%,” continues Gater. “Our wrap is also compliant with UK-set guidelines for claiming paper recyclability, which require a minimum paper content of 85%.”

The butter wrap format is one of several NPD projects developed using Wipak UK’s state-of-the-art combi laminator, which is part of a recent plus £5million (plus US$6.6 million) machinery upgrade to enhance the packaging supplier’s product offering.

Carbon footprint reduction
This investment is helping Wipak UK move closer to its goal of reducing its company carbon footprint and achieving carbon neutrality by 2025. 

“With growing pressure from consumers, brands and retailers need to take decisive action with disruptive sustainable packaging solutions that challenge traditional methods,” says Gater. “Solutions like Wipak UK’s butter wrap will not only have significant environmental benefits but help keep brands relevant in an increasingly competitive market.”

Wipak UK will showcase the new paper wrap for butter and other solutions at Packaging Innovations Birmingham, UK, stand A94, 25-26 May.

By Joshua Poole

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