The tone has shifted across packaging innovation, converting, and sourcing teams. It’s no longer just about specs; it’s about staying competitive in a rapidly changing market.
From our conversations with converters, R&D leaders, and global brands, here are five things we’re hearing that are shaping the future of paper and paperboard packaging:
1. “Consumers Are Setting the Pace.”
Eco-conscious shoppers are shaping decisions at the top. They’re reading labels, rewarding plastic-free innovation, and pushing brands to act faster and smarter on sustainability.
Packaging leaders are responding with urgency. But high-performance still matters. Grease resistance, water barriers, and durability can’t take a back seat to marketing claims. That's where the real work begins.
2. “Sustainability Can’t Mean Sacrifice.”
Performance and cost are still non-negotiables. Teams need coatings that withstand real-world demands from freezer to fryer without requiring expensive line upgrades.
The takeaway? Solutions must work as hard as the packaging they’re replacing. And they need to be production-ready, not just “lab promising.”
3. “PFAS Is the New Asbestos.”
With bans in California, New York, Washington, and more on the way, brands are quickly realizing: staying ahead of PFAS regulations isn’t optional, it’s existential.
But what replaces PFAS matters. PFAS-free means no intentionally added “forever chemicals.” Fluorine-free goes further, ensuring none of their cousins show up either. Teams now demand materials that meet stringent standards and withstand heat, grease, and time.
4. “The Goal Is Scale Without Disruption.”
Speed matters. Converters and brands can’t afford bottlenecks from complex application methods or long cure times.
Teams are looking for coatings that reduce coat weight, cure quickly, and preserve printability without compromising on compliance or recyclability. Efficiency isn’t just nice it’s essential for scale.
5. “We Need More Than a Vendor. We Need a Partner.”
Beyond just selling specs, converters and brand owners want real collaboration. From technical troubleshooting to navigating sustainability certifications, support is the new differentiator.
What This Means for the Industry
Across the board, leaders are calling for solutions that balance real performance, real sustainability, and real production viability.
It’s not enough to say “sustainable,” it has to be proven, practical, and ready to scale.
At Impermea, we’re hearing these same needs every day and working closely with converters and R&D teams to develop coatings that meet them head-on. From reducing coat weight to eliminating PFAS, our goal is simple: enable the industry to move forward without compromise.
Impermea exists to support that shift not with promises, but with performance. If you’re facing the same challenges, we’d love to connect and share what we’ve learned.
👉 Contact us for technical data, samples or to talk through your sustainability shift.
Your path to sustainable coatings starts now. Let's walk it together.
We custom-engineer powerful, long-lasting protection for your products without PFAS or plastic—using 75% less material than traditional coatings. Unlike most suppliers, we work directly with your converters and stay with you from initial lab testing through full production.
Together, we're setting new performance standards in packaging, textiles, and healthcare—delivering results for your business and our planet.
