Sun Strong GP: a new GC2 cardboard for food packaging
Food packaging requires materials that can deal with every application and condition: contact with fats and oils, the presence of humidity, low temperatures and the need to ensure good performance throughout the various stages of use, from processing to final consumption.
This is where Sun Strong GP comes in. It's a versatile FBB/GC2 cardboard designed to meet the needs of converters and brand owners operating in the food sector, from takeaway to industrial packaging. The product features a triple-layer fibrous structure, with CTMP (Chemi-Thermo-Mechanical Pulp) in the core layer and a double coating on the front.
Based on the Sun Strong range of cardboards, the innovative aspect of Sun Strong GP is the integration, on the back side, of a functional barrier coating for fats and oils, making it particularly suitable for food packaging applications, especially in the presence of fatty or moist foods.
Thanks to its characteristics, Sun Strong GP is suitable for numerous food packaging applications, from takeaway and foodservice to the packaging of refrigerated and frozen foods or those with fatty and oily components.
The cardboard
- is produced without the intentional use of fluorine and PFAS
- is grease-resistant according to DIN 53116 level II
- is suitable for use in freezers up to -20°C
- maintains the printability and convertibility characteristics typical of the Sun Strong range
It has an A+ recyclability level according to Aticelca Method MC501/UNI 11743, which allows for recycling in normal paper flows. Furthermore, thanks to a weight content of less than 5% of fossil-based polymers compared to traditional plastic film barriers, it is comparable to a monomaterial.
These characteristics make Sun Strong GP a choice capable of supporting converters and brand owners in limiting the use of plastic and in meeting the requirements of European regulations, including the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), the new European regulation on packaging and packaging waste, designed to reduce the environmental impact of packaging throughout its entire life cycle.
Specifically, this cardboard resistance to oil and fat is verified through the Palm Kernel Fat Test, according to DIN 53116, a standard that simulates real-life contact conditions with fatty foods such as butter, cheese or fried foods. Grease resistance is rated at Level II, with the possibility of developing it to Levels I and III based on specific design requirements.
The most suitable solution is selected by considering key factors such as the type of food, packaging temperature, shelf life and the end customer's expectations. Throughout this process, Burgo supports its partners in identifying the most suitable support for each project's needs.
Another key aspect concerns food safety. Sun Strong GP is developed with particular attention to food safety. The product is manufactured at Cartiera del Sole, the Burgo plant in Sora which has obtained FSSC 22000 - Food Safety System Certification, an international standard for food safety management throughout the agri-food supply chain, recognized by GFSI - Global Food Safety Initiative.
The Cartiera del Sole has successfully passed the rigorous audits of the food safety management system, based on ISO 22000:2018 and ISO/TS 22002-4:2013, and in compliance with the additional FSSC 22000 requirements (Version 6).
