See What’s Possible in Packaging & Processing @ PACK EXPO International
See packaging & processing solutions from 2,600 exhibitors and gain insights from 150+ free educational sessions at PACK EXPO International.
REGISTER NOW & SAVE

Create a free Packaging World account to continue reading

Madura Tea Shifts from Metalized OPP to Barrier Paper Packaging

Australia is leading the charge in a recent shift toward barrier paper packaging.

The new printed barrier paper packaging is curbside recyclable.
The new printed barrier paper packaging is curbside recyclable.

Madura Tea switched from metalized OPP to Koehler NexPlus Seal Pure MOB barrier paper packaging, which is 100% recyclable, has a lower carbon footprint, and provides superior protection against mineral oil contamination.

  • Material switch: Madura Tea replaced metalized oriented polypropylene (OPP) with Koehler NexPlus Seal Pure MOB barrier paper
  • Environmental benefits: The new packaging is 100% recyclable, made from virgin fiber pulp, and has a significantly reduced carbon footprint compared to plastic
  • Protection features: Paper material includes mineral oil barrier and protects against MOSH and MOAH contaminants
  • Processing capability: Heat-sealable paper works on all commercially available packaging machines with excellent printing results
  • Industry trend: Mars, Nestlé, and other major brands have recently launched similar barrier paper packaging initiatives

Not long after Mars unveiled an Australian barrier paper pack pilot with candy bars—and Nestlé did the same with its KitKat bars—Australian brand Madura Tea shifted packaging materials from metalized oriented polypropylene (OPP) to flexible paper packaging.

“Madura Tea has made the right decision in demonstrating its environmental responsibility by using recyclable materials from sustainable sources,” says Carsten Loemker, lead, engineering/technology, Madura Tea says of the company’s motivation for the switch.

With help from German suppliers Gundlach Packaging Group and Koehler Paper, Madura believes it has found an ideal packaging format for its products in a specific material called Koehler NexPlus Seal Pure MOB 72 gsm. The supplier notes this paper material has a mineral oil barrier and offers protection against mineral oil hydrocarbons MOSH and MOAH. Gundlach Packaging Group and Koehler Paper provided the brand owner with a range of test materials from the Koehler NexFlex product range, and after several promising tests landed on this specific material. Koehler Paper says that Koehler NexPlus Seal Pure MOB is a packaging paper with a significantly reduced carbon footprint in comparison to conventional plastic packaging, and is also 100% recyclable.


   

There have been quite a few recent instances of a shift from metalized films or other traditional flow wrap materials.


“Koehler NexPlus Seal Pure MOB—which is made from 100% virgin fiber pulp and is therefore suitable for contact with food—impressed everyone involved thanks to its outstanding barrier properties,” says Yevgen Zolotkovski, sales manager for Flexible Packaging Papers at Koehler Paper.

Like all other NexPlus papers, NexPlus Seal Pure MOB is also heat-sealable, and its high-strength properties make it ideally suited for further processing on all commercially available packaging machines, the company says.

“Although it’s an uncoated paper, the printing results are excellent and highlight the new environmentally friendly concept,” adds Rüdiger Brinkmann, senior sales manager at Gundlach. PW

Discover How to Stay Ahead of the Competition at PACK EXPO International
See new solutions from 2,600 exhibitors. Gain insights from 150+ free educational sessions. From automation & robotics to real-time data insights, find the tech for your company’s future at North America’s largest packaging & processing event.
REGISTER NOW & SAVE
Discover How to Stay Ahead of the Competition at PACK EXPO International
Co-packers: the competitive gap is widening
Brands want more than low bids. See what automation, services, and sustainability mean for CM/CPs in 2026.
Read More
Co-packers: the competitive gap is widening