R&D - Project

PaperForm Ongoing

Optimized paper and tools solutions for (Vertical) Form Fill and Seal packaging process

Optimization of tools and properties of fibrous materials, including the development of bio-based coatings, to improve their compatibility with VFFS processes.

The growing demand for sustainable packaging is pushing the industry to innovate in the development of fibrous substrates and bio-based coatings. However, currently available materials present two major challenges: insufficient friction and flexibility properties, limiting their high-speed use in industrial processes such as Vertical Form-Fill-Seal (VFFS), and coatings that are often still plastic-based, poorly compatible with an ecological approach. The PaperForm project, conducted in collaboration with several European partners, aims to address these issues by optimizing the mechanical properties of fibrous materials and developing solutions adapted to industrial processes, while ensuring their durability.

Within this project, Celabor plays a key role in developing flexible bio-based coatings, specifically designed to improve the sealability and friction properties of fibrous materials. These innovative coatings are developed to meet the requirements of VFFS processes, while reducing reliance on plastic solutions. In parallel, Celabor participates in the characterization of mechanical properties, such as friction, stiffness, and sealing behavior, to ensure optimal performance under industrial conditions. This work is based on laboratory tests and real-world evaluations, in collaboration with the other project partners.

In the short term, the PaperForm project will establish a database of existing commercial materials, offering SMEs in the sector a resource to identify solutions tailored to their needs. In the longer term, the objective is to develop an optimized fibrous material concept, combining bio-based coatings and improved mechanical properties, for seamless integration into industrial processes. The results will also include an environmental assessment (LCA, recyclability, and compostability tests) to ensure that the proposed solutions are not only high-performing but also sustainable. By facilitating the transition to fibrous packaging, the project supports food companies and processors in their ecological approach, while strengthening the competitiveness of European industry.