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As the global demand for sustainable packaging solutions continues to rise, Dow’s RHOBARR™ Barrier Coatings platform presents an innovative and compelling combination of product benefits that serve both existing and new packaging applications. With the recent expansion of manufacturing technology at its plant in Lauterbourg France, Dow is well-positioned to offer scalable options to address evolving industry needs.

Transformative Impact on Paper Packaging

The RHOBARR™ Barrier Coatings portfolio offers high-performance barrier properties to fiber-based packaging and is compatible with existing paper coating equipment. This compatibility is essential for paper producers and packaging converters seeking to adopt modern technologies without significant capital investment. The product line features a range of products, designed to address specific packaging requirements.

Among our broad portfolio of products, we are pleased to feature select RHOBARR™ Barrier Dispersions. These selections are just a glimpse of the quality and variety that our entire portfolio offers, which also includes acrylic latex emulsions. At the heart of RHOBARR™ Barrier Dispersions is the innovative BLUEWAVE™ Mechanical Dispersion Process – proprietary technology supports the creation of stable, high solids, waterborne coatings from higher performing, high-molecular weight polymers.

RHOBARR™ 325 Barrier Dispersion

RHOBARR™ 325 Barrier Dispersion was developed to address the growing demand for more sustainable packaging materials. This dispersion offers exceptional oil, grease, and liquid barrier properties, heat sealability, and a low odor profile. Like the entire barrier dispersions portfolio, RHOBARR™ 325 provides an alternative to traditional extrusion laminated paper, achieving exceptional performance with low coating weights.

The advantages of RHOBARR™ 325 extend beyond its barrier performance. Its compatibility with existing paper coating equipment allows brand owners to pursue sustainability goals without requiring significant capital investment. The dispersion can be applied using conventional wet application methods, including air knife, rod, blade, gravure, printing, dipping, frothing, and spraying. This versatility allows for seamless integration into existing mills and converting coating operations. Moreover, RHOBARR™ Barrier Coatings are designed for recyclability, meeting third party certification for repulpability and recyclablity to meet key industry test standards, ensuring that coated paper products can be effectively recycled, supporting the industry’s shift towards a more circular economy, making it an exceptional choice for brands committed to offering high-quality, sustainable packaging options.

RHOBARR™ 620 Barrier Dispersion

RHOBARR™ 620 Barrier Dispersion, a newer addition to the portfolio, combines the performance of traditional coatings with the application advantages of high-solid waterborne dispersions. The dispersion can be applied directly to paper, paperboard, or traditional paper pre-coats (e.g., starch, pigmented) using traditional wet application methods (e.g., rod, blade, curtain, gravure). In typical use, the dispersion is applied to achieve a dry coat weight of less than 10 g/m² depending on end use and barrier requirements.

While offering excellent barrier properties like the rest of the RHOBARR™ portfolio, RHOBARR™ 620 offers exceptional heat-seal/hot-tack properties which allow fast filling of paper packaging with heavy content, helping enable high pouch integrity with no leaks at the challenging triple-point area. The high-solid/low-viscosity feature makes it an excellent choice for converters’ applications.

Investment in Manufacturing Technology: Dow Plant in Lauterbourg France

A key milestone in Dow’s pursuit of more sustainable packaging innovations is the commissioning of a new BLUEWAVE™ Technology production unit at its Lauterbourg plant in France. This advanced manufacturing line leverages Dow’s global manufacturing footprint allowing the full suite of RHOBARR™ Barrier Emulsion and Barrier Dispersion Coatings to be produced at this site.

The investment is a testament to Dow’s commitment to the fiber-based packaging industry, ensuring consistent and reliable supply is available to meet the ever-growing market demand for innovative high-quality barrier coatings. The use of BLUEWAVE™ Technology ensures that Dow remains at the forefront of development and supply of innovative barrier solutions that address the evolving demands of modern packaging.

Sustainability and Performance

RHOBARR™ Barrier Coatings offer a range of benefits that make them highly attractive to the paper packaging industry:

• High Barrier Performance: RHOBARR™ Barrier Coatings offer protection against liquids, oils, and grease, while also offering block resistance, heat sealability and flexibility – offering a compliant option for a wide variety of food packaging applications.
• Reduced Material Use: Innovative dispersion technology helps enable thinner coating, reducing raw material consumption and enhancing the sustainability profile of barrier packaging.
• Compatibility with Existing Equipment: RHOBARR™ Barrier Coatings can be applied using conventional coating methods, eliminating the need for significant capital investment.
• Designed for Repulpability and Recyclability: Coated paper articles can be certified for repulpability and recyclability, supporting industry goals for a circular economy.
• Low Environmental Impact: The reduction in coat weight and the use of waterborne dispersions contribute to a lower environmental footprint [1].
• Scalability: With the expanded production capacity at the plant in Lauterbourg France, Dow is well-positioned to address the growing demand for more sustainable packaging solutions.

In addition to these benefits, RHOBARR™ Barrier Coatings are designed to be versatile and adaptable across a wide range of packaging applications. Whether for food service items, consumer goods, or industrial packaging, RHOBARR™ Barrier Coatings offer reliable, sustainable performance. The continuous innovation within Dow’s RHOBARR™ portfolio ensures that these products remain at the cutting edge of technology, offering the best possible performance for the paper packaging industry.

A key highlight of these barrier products is their strong alignment with sustainability goals. All RHOBARR™ Barrier Coatings are developed with a design for recyclability and repulpability in mind, supporting the industry’s transition toward a more circular economy. Products are engineered to meet repulpability and recyclability standards, helping advance sustainable practices in paper packaging.

By leveraging advanced barrier technologies, Dow is not only addressing the current industry or segment demands but also paving the way for future innovations in sustainable packaging. We are proud to offer solutions that combine high performance with environmental responsibility, empowering our customers to achieve their sustainability goals without compromising on quality.

Extensive Research and Testing

Dow’s success with RHOBARR™ Barrier Coatings is a testament to the company’s commitment to success grounded in rigorous research and testing. The development of these products involved extensive testing conducted by institutions such as Western Michigan University and PTS Fiber-Based Solutions to help ensure they meet the requirements of the paper packaging industry. Using lifecycle assessment methodologies, Dow has validated performance and sustainability benefits of RHOBARR™ Barrier Coatings.

Understanding the specific needs of the paper packaging industry is central to Dow’s innovation strategy. Through independent testing and research by academic institutions, Dow ensures its products are not only effective but also align with broader goals of sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Outlook

As the paper packaging industry continues to evolve, Dow remains at the forefront of innovation, offering options that address both performance and sustainability. The RHOBARR™ Barrier Coatings portfolio is poised to make a significant impact in the industry, offering brand owners and converters the tools they need to address growing consumer demands for sustainable packaging.

The future of paper packaging is bright, with RHOBARR™ Barrier Coatings leading the way. Our recent advancements in barrier technologies have further strengthened Dow’s position as a leader in sustainable packaging solutions. We are excited to share our latest developments in moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) and oxygen transmission rate (OTR) barriers, which address the growing needs of the industry.

Oxygen Barrier

In addition to our liquid barrier solutions, Dow’s developmental portfolio includes products specifically designed to address oxygen barrier requirements. These products offer excellent oxygen transmission rate (OTR) properties, extending the shelf life of packaged goods by reducing oxygen permeability. They are an excellent choice for applications where maintaining product freshness is critical, such as food packaging.

Moisture Vapor Barrier

Our innovative water barrier solutions are designed to offer moisture vapor barrier performance, helping to ensure that packaging effectively protects contents from moisture. These products are particularly effective when used in a layered configuration, employing a basecoat and topcoat system that enhances their barrier properties. This approach not only enhances overall effectiveness but also offers greater flexibility in application, making integration into existing production lines more seamless.

Conclusion

Dow’s RHOBARR™ Barrier Coatings represent a compelling value proposition for the fiber-based packaging industry. With products that offer high barrier performance, reduced material usage, and compatibility with existing equipment, RHOBARR™ Barrier Coatings offer a more sustainable solution versus incumbent technologies that addresses evolving industry demands. Supported by new investments in manufacturing technology in Europe, Dow is well-positioned to offer scalable options that drive industry transformation. RHOBARR™ Barrier Coatings represent a step forward in offering more sustainable options for the future for paper packaging.

By integrating RHOBARR™ Barrier Coatings into their operations, brand owners and converters can achieve sustainability goals while maintaining high standards of performance and quality. Dow’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustainability helps ensure that the RHOBARR™ portfolio will continue to lead the paper packaging industry, offering options that address the demands of an evolving industry.

[1] Based on an externally validated comparative LCA (2021)

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