With two innovative new products, Zanders focused strongly on sustainability at this year's FachPack: Zangrass, an uncoated grass paper with almost unlimited areas of application, and Zanbarrier NGR, a fluorocarbon-free barrier paper for flexible food packaging, were the highlights of the fair presentation and were enormously popular with the visitors. Furthermore, the German manufacturer of high-quality special papers and cartons presented its versatile range of label paper and cartonboard, including the high-gloss qualities of the premium brand Chromolux, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
The grass paper Zangrass lives up to its name: 20%-40% virgin fibers of sun-dried grass are being used for the new quality. “In the process chain for the production of Zangrass, up to 75% of CO2 emissions can be saved in comparison to pure fiber-based papers and also the water consumption is lower”, explains John Tucker, sales director at Zanders. “Furthermore, Zangrass is completely recyclable and compostable”. The grass paper is mainly used in the segment of organic and natural products, like fruit bowls and vegetable trays in the form of corrugated cardboard, reusable paper carrier bags or applications in the field of natural cosmetics. Currently, the new paper is available in the grammages 120 gsm and 150 gsm. An expansion of the product range to lighter and heavier weights is already planned so that Zangrass can be used for diverse applications in the future.
The natural barrier paper Zanbarrier NGR has a 100% natural barrier to oil and grease without the use of fluorocarbon or other chemicals. The abbreviation "NGR" stands for "natural grease resistant". “The cellulose fibers are subjected to an incredibly intense grinding process over several refining stages”, Tucker illustrates the unique production process of Zanbarrier NGR. “This effects that the surface area of the fiber is greatly enlarged, so that the absorption of water into the fibers is greatly increased creating a gel-like fiber mass - in technical jargon ‘slow draining’ because the fibers actually feel greasy after refining. The cellulose fibers treated in this way form a tight, strong cross-linked sheet structure thus creating a fully natural barrier to oil and grease.” Zanbarrier NGR is suitable for all forms of flexible food packaging that requires oil and grease-resistance as well as wet-strength such as food packaging for doner kebab or french fries, butter wrappers, bread roll bags, food labels or pizza and confectionery cartons.
“The trade visitors’ interest in Zangrass and Zanbarrier NGR was enormous and many of our conversations were already very concrete”, Tucker draws an entirely positive conclusion of the presentation of the new products. “Sustainability is a topic that is becoming ever more important and both innovations offer ecological advancements in their respective sector.” Zanders also offers sustainably produced specialty papers and cartons with FSC-certification for other applications like labels or folding boxes. “FachPack is becoming increasingly international. This year, we could clearly notice that”, John Tucker resumes contently. “For us, being a company that operates internationally, that is an important factor. This is why we will definitely be present at next year’s FachPack.” People who did not have the opportunity to get to know the new qualities Zangrass and Zanbarrier or who are interested in other qualities by Zanders can order samples via info@zanders.com.
