Sun Chemical and Archipelago partner on paper-based packaging coatings

Sun Chemical and Archipelago partner on paper-based packaging coatings

Vidhya Edwards Munnangi

Wed, September 16, 2026 at 12:21 PM GMT+3 2 min read

Sun Chemical has entered an alliance with Archipelago Technology Group to boost adoption of paper-based packaging.

The partnership aims to help customers address sustainability goals and meet Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) requirements via coating products, including barrier layer technology.

Archipelago's Powerdrop non-contact coating system and coating process will be used alongside Sun Chemical's liquid barrier and resistant coatings, with heat seal capability available as an option.

The combination is designed for paper-based packaging formats.

Archipelago Technology CEO Guy Newcombe said: "For years, Archipelago has maintained that barrier coatings must be designed into the fabric of moulded fibre packaging from the outset, rather than treated as an afterthought.

"Our agreement with Sun Chemical allows us to deliver a complete, proven platform. We are giving the industry a practical tool to achieve high barrier performance while supporting packaging designs intended to meet evolving European recyclability requirements."

The scope includes flat 2D materials and 3D moulded fibre containers, for use by consumer brands and packaging producers seeking substitutes for plastic and composite packaging.

The first coating approved under the agreement, BARV656: VAPORBLOC DFC HOTFOOD, has finished testing and validation and is now on the market.

Under the PPWR framework, packaging will be judged more closely on recyclability, with consequences for market access and EPR fee levels.

Monomaterial packaging that is at least 95% recyclable is classified as Grade A, which secures permanent market access and the lowest EPR tax rates.

The Powerdrop platform can keep coating levels below the 5% threshold, which may support packaging formats seeking the top PPWR recyclability grades.

Sun Chemical digital businesses global director Pete Saunders said: "Moulded fibre packaging combines strong sustainability credentials with the potential for a lower carbon footprint than many conventional packaging formats. But untreated cellulose lacks the necessary barrier properties to resist oil, water and gases.

"Archipelago's Powerdrop technology solves this problem by applying a highly efficient, ultra-thin functional coating layer at high throughput and with very low levels of waste, creating a uniform, high-performance barrier layer for demanding packaging applications."

Earlier this month, Sun Chemical introduced SunPak DFC inPace, a sheetfed offset ink system for folding cartons used in direct food contact packaging and also added further base colours to its AquaSafe water-based ink range.

"Sun Chemical and Archipelago partner on paper-based packaging coatings" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand.