Global chemicals major BASF has started producing its Joncryl High-Performance Barrier (HPB) solutions at BASF Shanghai Pudong site. The Joncryl HPB products are water-based film-forming dispersions that provide a heat-sealable liquid barrier. The HPB series enables the design of single-use paper food packaging that is repulpable after use, unlike current polyethylene laminates.
This new class of product allows the industry to partly replace virgin pulp at the paper mill, minimizing the environmental impact of single usage paper packaging. Water-based barrier coatings demand has increased significantly over recent years in the Asia Pacific. Food and beverage brand owners and food packaging manufacturers have committed to implementing more sustainable solutions.
“Joncryl HPB products have been successfully introduced to the food packaging industry. The series is FDA-approved for direct food contact and can be used for food packagings, such as takeaway boxes and cups. Based on the market needs, we decided to expand our global production footprint to include China to support our global and regional customer base,” explained Henry Paeckert, vice president of dispersions & resins, BASF China.
Huguenard speaks about BASF growth strategy
“We innovate in the packaging industry to support the development of safe and sustainable solutions. Our R&D team has developed a new portfolio with Joncryl HPB 4K with comparable performance to polyethylene laminates, enabling the industry to reduce the consumption of fresh pulp at the paper mill after collection of used packaging. Sustainability is one of the key pillars of the BASF growth strategy. The commercialization and production of the HPB range in China is one clear demonstration of our implementation,” said Sylvain Huguenard, vice president, resins & additives, Asia Pacific, BASF.
The BASF Shanghai Pudong site was established in 1994 and became a wholly-owned entity in 2000. It is also where the Greater China headquarters is located. It began operating its first acrylics dispersions production line in 2001.
