The continued rise of paper to become the preeminent packaging material of choice will be evident across the exhibitors at London Packaging Week 2024, and in more ways than you might think.

When you speak talk today packaging, the move away from plastics to paper-based materials is never far from the conversation.

In many instances, the conversion from polymer- to fibre-based flexible materials has come to dominate discussions. Big brands have responded quickly to public demand and the need to safeguard the environment, switching from previously hard to recycle plastic flexible packaging to paper alternatives.

This trends towards paperfication – also known interchangeably as paperisation – has bled into other primary and secondary packaging applications, with material innovations and advances in structural engineering making carton and corrugated applicable for a growing list of packaging applications.
However, paper and paper-based materials have many different roles to play in the supply chain, from the basic and functional to the most luxurious. All are on show at London Packaging Week 2024.

Delivering functionality and sustainability
Allpack (C20) brings to the show products such as Vortex paper stretch wrap, BoxFill speedy void fill system and Boxbond self-adhesive tape. Whilst each has specific benefits to the supply chain, Vortex is manual stretch wrap made of paper. Produced using fully recyclable Kraft paper that is sourced from responsibly managed forests, this paper stretch wrap is flexible, stretchable (up to 30%) and highly resistant to tearing.

SeaStretch from Seaman Paper (H14) is another manual wrapping material and suitable for wrapping and protection of elongated, irregular or complex shaped parts. It can also be used as filler for stuffing boxes, filling voids and providing protective cushioning. The material is creped for added elasticity, cushioning and formability. Similarly produced using Kraft paper sourced from responsible managed forests, SeaStretch too has a stretch capacity of around 30%.

FormPack from McKinleys (D24) is a paper alternative to bubble wrap. This product consists of 100% recycled paper, is free of chemical ingredients, is fully recyclable and is FSC certified. The embossed material has excellent padding characteristics and high impact absorbency which provides reliable shipping protection against transportation damage, corrosion and dampness.

RecyCold climaliner from Ranpak (A62) provides sustainable thermal protection for food and beverages. Made from more than 98.5% paper, this is a recyclable, renewable and biodegradable option for protecting temperature-sensitive items during shipping. Protection is offered for frozen, chilled and ambient products from temperature fluctuations up to 48 hours.

Ranpak also has Geami EX Mini, a handy dispenser box designed to expand die-cut Kraft paper into a protective 3D honeycomb structure. The box design enhances in-store experience, directly demonstrating a brand’s sustainability commitment to customers.

Paper alternatives
From manufacturing and distribution channels, the scope for paper reaches all the way into retail environments and puts these materials directly in the hands of consumers.

Justeco (C26), for example, shows lids, containers, cups and more, which are all engineered as biodegradable options for the food service industry. Kite Packaging (B14) offers food bowls manufactured from a strong and sustainable Kraft paper. The inside is lined with a PE layer designed to block moisture or grease from seeping out. The base is fully recyclable, with transparent lids also available. Double-walled cups made from 100% recyclable virgin food-grade paper are available in three cup sizes with two accompanying lids, which are manufactured from virgin food-grade PS plastic.

Basebetter (D01) actively promotes its commitment to the environment and work to encourage greater use of sustainable materials. This includes a variety of washable Kraft tote and shopping bags. These are made using washable Kraft paper engineered in Germany, as used in making jean tags. It is a lightweight Kraft paper with high tear resistance, made of natural wooden fibres and synthetic latex. Such products are customisable and recyclable, although fundamentally designed to have a prolonged lifespan. A washable paper backpack is another option. In this application, the material has been tanned during production, resulting in durability and water resistance.

Papillon Ribbon & Bow (H74) is a supplier of high-quality decorative ribbon, collapsible boxes, and other packaging solutions. With a commitment to sustainability, the company sources materials responsibly and uses eco-friendly production methods whenever possible. One example is the collapsible Cecobox, which is design to be constructed and collapsed without glue or tape and to be fully reusable.

Paper tubes are another packaging option to have high prominence at London Packaging Week 2024. McLaren Packaging (K60) has developed a mono-material tube with a paper base that can be disposed of without the need for separation. This tube contains no metal at all, so that the tube body can easily be placed in paper recycling bins. Both tubes use a high percentage of recycled content giving end-of-life paper fibres an additional use.

On that topic, Papers Upcycled is a brand of Microcarton Packaging (K72) that is focused purely on paper and cardboard upcycling. While noting the value and impact of recycling, Papers Upcycled sees potential to create products from what would otherwise be waste, and which are as good if not better than the original intended use by virtue of vastly improved environmental credentials. To achieve this, Papers Upcycled carefully sorts and selects industrial offset printing waste and create a portfolio of environmentally-friendly solutions that span from cosmetic boxes, shopping bags and product displays to online sales shipping boxes, drinks holders and advents calendars.

Given the rise of paper to prominence in today’s packaging ecosystem, it is no wonder such a variety of uses for paper are to be presented at London Packaging Week 2024, which takes place 11 & 12 September at ExCeL. Registration is now open.

This article is part of a series published ahead of London Packaging Week 2024, outlining products, trends and industry developments to look out for at the show.