Michelman to showcase paper packaging and cup coating technologies at PACK EXPO International

Michelman will present co-created paper-based flexible packaging structures and next-generation cup coatings at PACK EXPO International 2026 in Chicago. The company is positioning the technologies as ways to help brands and converters meet performance, recyclability and compostability goals amid new packaging regulations.

Why it matters: - Paper-based packaging is under pressure to deliver both performance and lower environmental impact. - Michelman’s materials are aimed at helping converters and brands move away from plastic-heavy structures without giving up barrier, seal, or print performance. - The technologies are also designed to align with evolving rules in California, North America, and the European Union.

What happened: - Michelman will showcase co-created paper-based flexible packaging structures and next-generation coating technologies for paper cup applications at PACK EXPO International 2026. - The company will present the technologies at McCormick Place in Chicago during PACK EXPO International, October 18-21, 2026. - Visitors can meet Michelman technical specialists at Booth W-38022. - Michelman will also take part in a joint presentation titled “Design Concept to Paper Packaging Reality” with UPM Specialty Materials and BOBST. - The session is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. on Innovation Stage 1 (N-4570). - Presenters will be Sarah Dembroski, North American Sales Director at UPM Specialty Materials; Ralph Giammarco, Global Business Development & Applications Director at Michelman; and Christopher Marshall, US Sales Director at BOBST.

The details: - Michelman developed the flexible packaging structures with partners including UPM Specialty Materials and BOBST. - The paper-based materials are designed to meet demanding performance requirements while supporting recyclability, compostability, or dual end-of-life pathways, depending on package design and available recovery streams. - The joint presentation will review case studies showing how paper technology, coating innovation, and process adaptations can speed paper-based packaging design and production. - Michelman’s water-based coatings are designed to work as a system and provide functions such as heat sealing and print receptivity while raising barrier performance. - The recently launched Nuvita® Life series is featured in some of the constructions. - Nuvita Life is designed for fiber-based retail food packaging and includes a heat seal and topcoat that are bio-based, plastic-free, and direct food contact compliant. - Michelman’s multi-functional coatings for paper cups are designed to replace traditional polyethylene linings while maintaining performance for hot beverage applications. - Commercially available solutions include Michem® Coat 9100 and the Michem® Coat 9250 series. - Those cup coatings are intended to help manufacturers reduce plastic use while supporting recyclability. - Michelman’s next-generation cup coating roadmap includes dual end-of-life pathways. - The roadmap includes industrial compostability through fully bio-based solutions designed to enable plastic-free, home-compostable, and SUPD-compliant paper cup structures. - The market-ready structures are aimed at packaging regulations including California SB 54, Extended Producer Responsibility programs in North America, the European Union’s Single-Use Plastics Directive, and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.

Between the lines: - Michelman is positioning coatings as the enabling layer that lets fiber-based formats compete with conventional packaging on both functionality and compliance. - The joint presentation suggests the company sees collaboration with machinery and materials partners as essential to scaling paper-based formats. - The emphasis on dual end-of-life pathways reflects a market where recovery infrastructure differs by region, so one package design may not work everywhere.

What's next: - Michelman will use PACK EXPO International to show current products and its development roadmap side by side. - The company is seeking to demonstrate that paper-based packaging can move from case studies to commercial production. - Conference attendees can learn more from the company’s technical team during the show.