Thimm launches coated papers as an alternative to plastic solutions

The Thimm Group is launching a new virgin fibre paper with a water-based coating on the market. With the development of the ComBa Liner, the company is taking the first step towards offering paper-based primary packaging as an alternative to plastic solutions.

As society's awareness of environmental and climate protection continues to grow, so too do consumers' expectations - for example, regarding the sustainability of the packaging for the goods they consume. The Thimm Group is also feeling the effects: demand for its corrugated cardboard packaging as an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic packaging remains high.

However, in order to successfully replace plastic, paper-based packaging must in many cases be Water and grease repellent and also easy to recycle be. Under the new ComBa (= „Coated modular Barrier“) brand, the Thimm Group is now launching a virgin fibre paper with a sustainable barrier coating that meets all these requirements: the ComBa Liner.

New coating for corrugated base paper

The paper of the ComBa liner is coated with the latest generation of thermoplastic elastomer dispersions (TPE). The resulting barrier is water-based and Free from emulsifiers and solvents. The virgin fibre paper is therefore also a good choice after coating. Monomaterial and can therefore be disposed of with the waste paper in the subsequent recycling process. As the name „Coated modular Barrier“ suggests, effectively protects the coated virgin fibre paper from water, water vapour, oils or grease - depending on what the customer needs.

For Thimm, this development is the first step towards offering paper-based primary packaging as an alternative to plastic solutions. Research and development for further coatings, for example in the area of flavour protection have already started, according to the company.

Another novelty is the Extended working width of the paperComparable speciality papers were previously often only available in narrow widths. With a working width of up to 2.50 metres, the ComBa Liner enables optimum utilisation on the corrugator.

Thimm: Recycling made easy

The use of the ComBa Liner with innovative TPE coating also represents a decisive advantage over composite materials, which are currently used in many packaging materials, particularly in the food industry. Although these appear more sustainable than plastic at first glance, they cannot simply be disposed of as a whole in waste paper. To do this, the individual materials would first have to be separated from each other - an effort that very few consumers (want to) take on. Thimm takes a critical view of this.

„With composite packaging, the responsibility for proper recycling is simply passed on to consumers. However, they are often overwhelmed by this task. With many composite materials, it is also almost impossible to separate the individual components from each other. This can lead to Contamination of the waste paper come. Packaging whose corrugated cardboard is produced with our ComBa Liner therefore makes both disposal for the consumer and subsequent recycling much easier, as it can be completely emptied and disposed of in waste paper.“ Michael Weber, Head of Corporate Strategy and Marketing at Thimm

Modular packaging - not just for the food industry

 The TPE dispersions of the ComBa liner are coated at Christiansen Print in Northeim. The coatings have the usual FDA/EU approvals and are heat-resistant, meaning that the coated paper can be safely processed into packaging with direct food contact. Thimm pack'n'display will be using the ComBa liner for the entire FoodWave line in future, with the aim of offering consumers both practical and sustainable packaging for their food.

Another possible application for the ComBa Liner is the Industrial utilisation represent: For example, greasy and oily machine parts can be transported, even overseas. Depending on the requirements of the goods, the coating can be customised on a modular basis so that it always offers the best possible protection.

With the introduction of the ComBa Liner, the packaging manufacturer has done real pioneering work, which also brings enormous advantages for the Thimm Group itself and its customers, as Michael Weber explains: „On the one hand, we can produce the coated papers flexibly and to order ourselves, as we are not an integrated company and buy virgin fibre papers on the open market and therefore have them in stock. This means we have short delivery times for the ComBa Liner. This in turn simplifies our production of packaging in which we further process the ComBa Liner.“

Currently working Thimm ComBa Liner in additional sectors in order to offer as many customers as possible an optimum solution for replacing plastic packaging.