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Sappi Europe has introduced two new recyclable, high-barrier paper innovations designed to help brands meet tightening EU packaging regulations.

The solutions offer a paper-based alternative to plastic and multilayer foils, ready for today’s fast-paced manufacturing lines. Both are designed with performance and sustainability in mind.

Guard Pro OHS is a heat-sealable, high-barrier paper designed for applications such as flow wraps, sachets and pouches. It offers protection against oxygen, water vapour, grease and MOSH/MOAH. These barrier properties help extend shelf life, preserve aroma and product quality, and protect contents from contamination.

The paper has enhanced mechanical properties, which lead to better runnability on packaging machines, Sappi said. It is available in two finishes: natural (62, 72 and 92 g/m²), and gloss (77, 87 and 102 g/m²).

It is suitable for direct food contact, with typical food applications including snacks, dry foods, ice cream flow wrap, where freshness and compliance are key.

The other new solution, Guard Pro OMH, offers similar barrier properties to OHS – but is designed specifically for cold-seal applications.

The innovation is described as a cost-effective solution for applications where heat sealing is not needed. With improved oxygen barrier properties compared to OHS, Guard Pro OMH fits a wide range of food and non-food uses.

Due to the particularly smooth surface, the paper offers ‘excellent’ conversion results in metallization, Sappi noted, making it ideal for metal deposition and further conversion to ultra-high barrier applications.

The paper is available in an uncoated natural version (60, 70 and 90 g/m²) and a glossy (75, 85 and 100 g/m²) version.

The choice between both solutions aims to provide packaging engineers with more control over sealing method, production speed and material costs, without compromising recyclability or protection.

Filip van Ranst, sales director at Sappi, said: “With Guard Pro OHS and Guard Pro OMH, we’re giving the market more flexibility and choice when selecting recyclable, high-barrier papers”.