UPM Specialty Papers, Lantmännen Unibake and Adara have co-created a new fiber-based packaging that replaces plastic bags as primary packaging for frozen baked goods. To minimize the use of fossil-based materials, the companies joined forces to create a solution where the plastic bags were eliminated by using UPM Asendo barrier paper as an inner liner in the corrugated cardboard box; the barrier paper layer ensures food safety and freshness.
 
“The partnership with Lantmännen Unibake and Adara opened the opportunity to unite our expertise across the food packaging value network to create a renewable and recyclable packaging solution for frozen bread. Lantmännen Unibake and a third-party food industry development company conducted thorough testing and analysis on the impact of packaging materials on the taste of the frozen bread; as a result UPM Asendo was chosen as the inner liner for the cardboard box. The food safe UPM Asendo barrier paper layer has proven to offer the grease and moisture resistance needed while ensuring food safety,” said Kirsi Lahtela, product manager, UPM Specialty Papers.

Frozen baked goods require packaging that offers light grease and moisture resistance, while maintaining the freshness of the baked goods inside. Lantmännen Unibake, one of Europe’s largest bakery groups, specialising in frozen bakery products for retail and food service, is actively searching for more sustainable solutions for packaging and transporting frozen bakery products.
 
“We are eager to drive innovations in our industry and find more sustainable packaging solutions. This new packaging innovation for frozen bakery products could not have been created without UPM Specialty Papers and Adara; it is a great example of how we can reduce the use of plastic in food packaging by working together with industry partners,” said Riikka Salokannel, packaging development manager, Lantmännen Unibake Finland.
 
Adara is a manufacturer of corrugated cardboard and corrugated packaging that considers sustainability a core value in all operations and everyday work, the other core values being quality, flexibility and efficiency.
 
UPM Asendo is a recyclable as well as home and industrially compostable barrier paper with good grease and moisture resistance, that is safe for direct contact with food. It is especially well-suited for dry, chilled and frozen foods, bread bags, as well as non-food wrapping.
 
 
UPM Specialty Papers
UPM Specialty Papers answers the world’s need for sustainable products with high-performance, transformative papers for packaging and labelling, and sustainable office and graphic papers in APAC. Our approximately 2,000 dedicated experts help customers co-create solutions to their business challenges. UPM Specialty Papers’ global team and mills in China, Finland and Germany serve customers consistently and reliably around the world.
 
Lantmännen Unibake
Lantmännen Unibake is a leading international bakery company with strong roots in local baking. With expertise in bakery products for food service and retail, we exist to deliver healthy, sustainable bakery products based on excellent food safety standards to consumers all over the world. Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, Lantmännen Unibake operates multiple modern bakeries around the world and has sales in more than 50 countries. Our brand portfolio comprises a range of well-established B2B and B2C brands e.g. Vaasan, Myllyn Paras, Schulstad, Bonjour, Pastridor and Hatting. Lantmännen Unibake has a turnover of EUR 1.3 billion and employs more than 6,000 people in 20+ countries. Part of Lantmännen Group, we are farmer-owned and founded in the Nordics. Appetite for more?