Paper pouches, boxes hold share

US food-container demand is projected to exceed $23 billion in 2011, according to a new Freedonia Group study (www.freedoniagroup.com), growing from about $19.9 billion in sales volume last year. Paperboard accounted for 22 percent of the market, and while pouches and bags made up 40 percent of food packaging, much of this segment also used paper as a primary substrate.

While paperboard food-container demand will expand at a slower pace than plastics, robust growth is anticipated in the relatively small aseptic carton segment based on broader applications and greater consumer interest in natural or minimally processed foods. As in recent years, unit demand for metal cans will keep falling as a result of inroads by, in part, aseptic cartons. In addition, paperboard tubs and folding cartons will continue to dominate ice cream and frozen dessert packaging.

Showcasing co.'s full line of premium synthetics, a new swatchbook displays lines of white, super smooth, waterproof, and tear- and chemical-resistant synthetic papers. A new UV-printable grade that requires no primer, as well as translucent grades, are available, co. says. The book demonstrates a full range of applications for the synthetics including diecutting, embossing, spot gloss and varnishes.

YUPO CORP. AMERICA, 888/USE-YUPO, www.yupo.com

UniSet SA, a new wet-strength, pressure-sensitive label paper for breweries, is specifically designed for optimal performance in all facets of label production from printing, lamination, diecutting and matrix stripping, to end-use application on high-speed labelers. Its enhanced paper characteristics support complex white and metallized beer-label designs. UniSet SA offers sustainability advantages of paper over film, particularly in an era of rising costs for petroleum-based packaging materials.

STORA ENSO, 715/345-8060, www.storaenso.com

First to be introduced in the Envi line of environmental packaging grades for folding cartons and luxury shopping bags is the Envi Folding Box Board (FBB). It is an 18-pt, single-ply uncoated paperboard ideal for fragrance, cosmetics, gourmet food and wine packaging applications. Envi FBB comes in a bright white shade and is made with 80 percent post-consumer waste, one of the highest recycled-content levels currently available in the market for single-ply, high-caliper uncoated paperboard, co. says.

MONADNOCK PAPER MILLS, INC., 877/877-2098, www.mpm.com