Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, today announced the launch of Cartaseal VWAF, a new industry-leading perfluorinated compound (PFC)-free* and ammonia-free* barrier coating for odor-free packaging applications.

Archroma is well known for its innovations and sustainable solution systems aimed at helping packaging & paper manufacturers to optimize productivity and/or create value in their markets.

The multifunctional Cartaseal range offers barrier solutions that can be used to protect from grease, oils, water and water vapor in both packaging and food packaging applications such as pizza boxes, sandwich wedges, fresh vegetables, fast food service and general supermarket packaging.

The latest addition to the range is the new Cartaseal VWAF, which has been developed in line with the principles of “The Archroma Way to a sustainable world: safe, efficient, enhanced, it’s our nature”.

The innovative Cartaseal VWAF is designed to form a continuous and defect-free film-like coating on the paper surface. The resulting barrier offers class-leading performance against the penetration of oils, fats, water and vapor.

The odor-free product is also ideally suited to food packaging applications, where the taste and smell of the packed food can be very sensitive to the environment and must be carefully preserved for the full enjoyment of the consumer.

Thanks to its superior performance, Cartaseal VWAF can be used as a more sustainable alternative to replace not only PFC-based coatings but also plastic in applications where resistance to water, oil and fats and water vapor condensation is required.

Developed with food packaging in mind, Cartaseal VWAF is compliant with FDA and BfR requirements for food contact applications. It is also compliant with, eco-labels such as EU Flower, Nordic Swan and several annexes of Blue Angel, and is of course REACH registered.

Importantly, Cartaseal VWAF offers increased potential for compostability, repulpability and recycling compared to PFC and plastics, since the coating will break down with the paper during the recycling process.

Cartaseal VWAF is at the core of the new PACK IT CLEAN system just launched by Archroma where it is combined with a primer solution for cases where a binder or pre-coat can also be used to further boost performance. The PACK IT CLEAN system can be found in the online Archroma System Selector.

"Consumers and regulators are increasingly attentive to how products are made, and rightfully so”, explains Andy Bell, Head of the Competence Center Chemicals at Archroma. “It is our responsibility as an industry to develop and convert to technologies that reduce our impact on the environment and on people's health. That is exactly what we at Archroma do, with innovations like Cartaseal® VWAF. Because it’s our nature."

*Below the limit of detection according to industry standard test methods