Packaging Materials UPM Partners with BASF for Recyclable, Fiber-Based Packaging Solutions

UPM’s barrier and barrier base papers along with BASF’s Joncryl high performance barrier technology resins will be combined to enable the development of packaging materials suitable for a wide range of food and non-food applications that meet demanding regulatory requirements.

Ludwigshafen/Germany – UPM Specialty Materials (UPM) and BASF are collaborating to help brand owners, converters and formulators accelerate the transition to recyclable*, fiber-based packaging solutions. By combining UPM’s barrier and barrier base papers with BASF’s Joncryl HPB (high performance barrier) barrier technology resins, the collaboration enables high‑performance, fiber-based materials while supporting the transition away from conventional mixed packaging structures.

Driven by increasing regulatory requirements and ambitious recyclability targets (e.g. Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste), the packaging industry is increasingly moving towards design-for-recycling concepts. The collaboration between UPM and BASF demonstrates how carefully matched materials and barrier technologies can deliver excellent protection performance while enabling recyclable, fiber-based packaging.

UPM’s barrier and barrier base papers, such as UPM Solide Lucent and UPM Asendo, are specifically designed for demanding packaging converting and printing applications. When combined with coatings based on BASF’s Joncryl HPB polymers, they enable the development of packaging materials suitable for a wide range of food and non-food applications that meet demanding regulatory requirements.

“The transition to recyclable fiber-based packaging requires both advanced barrier performance and close collaboration across the value chain. Our barrier papers are developed to support co-creation with partners, enabling new, high-performance packaging applications. The collaboration with BASF demonstrates how combining innovative barrier technologies with barrier papers can deliver functional, recyclable solutions that accelerate the packaging transformation,” said Mika Uusikartano, Senior Manager, Product Portfolio Management, UPM Specialty Materials.

“The demand for sustainable packaging solutions is growing rapidly along the value chain – from brand owners to converters and formulators. UPM’s premium paper grades for flexible packaging, combined with barrier coatings based on waterborne Joncryl HPB resins from BASF form a strong and credible reference approach for the development of paper-based alternatives designed to replace plastic-based or PE-laminated structures,” said Rolf Alles, Director of Sales Resins EMEA at BASF.

* UPM packaging papers are certified recyclable according to CEPI v. 2.0 (Europe), PTS-RH 021/97 cat II and WMU SBS-E (U.S.). BASF Joncryl HPB line has been shown not to negatively impact paper recyclability according to CEPI v. 2.0 (Europe). Third-party testing of the complete structure is ongoing.

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