Sun Chemical Partnered to Enhance Paper Packaging
The collaboration utilizes advanced jetting to help consumer goods brands meet strict EU recyclability standards.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Consumer Goods
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Sun Chemical and Archipelago Technology Group have partnered to develop high-performance coatings for paper-based packaging. The venture uses the Powerdrop system to help manufacturers replace plastic with sustainable, waterproof materials while staying under regulatory weight limits.
Why it matters
The partnership addresses urgent compliance needs as businesses scramble to meet strict recyclability requirements for packaging materials. It allows operators to maintain product integrity while achieving Grade A status under recent European mandates.
To maintain Grade A recyclability status, packaging must keep coating weight under five percent of total packaging weight. The Powerdrop technology enables this by applying functional layers at high throughput with low material waste.
The players
Sun Chemical
A global producer of printing inks, coatings, and pigments that serves the packaging and graphic arts markets.
Archipelago Technology Group
A technology developer focused on industrial printing and precision fluid application systems.
The details
The Powerdrop system applies coatings using a non-contact drum and nozzle mechanism, which utilizes an air knife to ensure precision. This process is capable of handling fluids with a maximum viscosity of 2000 mpas, temperatures up to 160°C, and particle sizes up to 100 microns. By optimizing these applications, firms can replace traditional plastic barriers with waterproof, paper-based alternatives.
Timeline
August 2026: The EU Packaging and Paper Waste Regulation came into force.
Market Landscape
The partnership marks a direct operational response to the EU Packaging and Paper Waste Regulation that came into force in August 2026. This development follows a broader industry trend of tightening environmental compliance that forces brands to redesign traditional packaging supply chains.
Operators currently using multi-layer plastic packaging should audit their current material usage against the new five percent coating threshold to identify potential compliance gaps. Procurement teams should evaluate whether high-precision jetting systems can reduce raw material costs while maintaining protective barriers.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates that achieving sustainability compliance is increasingly dependent on high-precision application technology. Operators should audit their current packaging specifications to ensure they qualify for Grade A recyclability status under the new European standards.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts, visit our Consumer Goods section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Packaging South Asia.
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