Stahl, supplier of speciality coatings and treatments for flexible substrates, has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Barriertec, a provider of sustainable high-performance barrier solutions for paper and cardboard packaging.

The licensing agreement gives Stahl exclusive rights to sell Barriertec’s sustainable barrier coatings product to the packaging market under the Stahl brand. The products will also carry the Barriertec and Be Repulpable label.

Barriertec’s solution enables the application of sustainable barrier coatings onto paper, providing excellent barrier properties for oxygen, water, oil and grease to packaging and supporting the recycling and reuse of paper fibers in new packaging solutions. The sustainable barrier coatings offer significant benefits to food packaging manufacturers, in particular, supporting the industry’s transition to fully recyclable paper-based packaging.

Paolo Bavaj, chief innovation and development officer at Stahl, says, “Sustainability is a key pillar at Stahl as we embrace new technologies that can help our customers increase the recyclability of their products and manage their environmental footprint. Supported by our in-house R&D capabilities, our aim is to scale this technology and expand our toolbox of tailored packaging coatings solutions for customers. This exciting partnership with Barriertec supports our sustainability ambitions and strengthens Stahl’s position as a market leader in speciality coatings for flexible substrates.’

Paul Grzebielucha, global director packaging Coatings at Stahl, comments, “We at Stahl take our role of being a leading and responsible supplier in the food and packaging chain as a serious quest. We feel this partnership with Barriertec and Francois Dandenault helps us take a major step at saving fibres, reducing waste and making a step change improvement that allows single coated substrates to replace difficult to recycle multilayer materials. This new line of repulpable, enhanced properties, thin film coatings, with our ability to supply them worldwide, will take a huge step at supporting a sustainable packaging lifecycle for our customers worldwide.

Francois Dandenault, owner and CEO Barriertec Packaging & Group Research I.D., adds, “Barriertec’s mission is to find better, greener options like developing new coating technologies that help introduce renewable and bio-sourced components. Our unique approach enables us to lead the market with our technology while remaining competitive, thanks to our innovative processes. Based on industry needs, we have defined the technological requirements for repulpable packaging coatings. It’s essential to surround ourselves with the best, with those who share our vision, so it was only natural for us to partner with Stahl. Barriertec’s technology is now part of a worldwide network offering one of the world’s most effective barrier solutions: repulpable packaging made from renewable fibres. So, take the green step, be the change! Be Repulpable!”

The agreement with Barriertec is the latest step in Stahl’s strategy to strengthen its packaging coatings offering, with a focus on providing high-quality, sustainable solutions to printing and packaging customers. In March 2023, Stahl expanded its market share in packaging coatings with the acquisition of ICP Industrial Solutions Group (ISG), a leading supplier of high-performance coatings for packaging and labelling applications.