BASF and Omya collaborate to develop coater-ready barrier solutions for paper and cardboard packaging

Germany chemicals giant BASF and Switzerland-based Omya join hands on the development of coater-ready barrier solutions for paper and cardboard packaging.

The collaboration aims at offering formulations and mixtures for medium to small sized manufacturers who cannot prepare their own solutions due to capacity and plant technology reasons.

BASF will supply barrier dispersions while Omya provides the pigments and experience to manufacture these products and produces them in its own facilities. Marketing of their products will be carried out through the sales channels of Omya in Europe. A first commercial product will be available in the first quarter of 2015.

The upcoming Mineral Oil Ordinance of the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) is increasing interest in water-based barrier solutions for paper and cardboard packaging, according to BASF.

The chemicals giant offers a wide range of barrier solutions including polymers applied by extrusion, co-extrusion or lamination at converters (e.g. ecovio PS 1606 or Ultramid) as well as water-based dispersions used in paper finishing on coating machines and in printing processes (Epotal).