Coatings for flexible packaging that is easier to recycle
Water-based Michelman primers, barriers and heat seals to simplify multilayer structures without losing protection or machine performance.
- Mono-material structures
- Food contact by grade
Fewer different materials, the same protection
Plastic is not the problem; material combinations that cannot be recycled are. Functional coatings move part of that function into thin layers on a simpler structure.
Mono-material structures
Single-material structures (PE, PP or paper) instead of multi-material laminates.
Thinner layers
Barrier and sealing from coatings a few microns thick, instead of extra films or layers.
Food contact
Grades with FDA documentation for direct or indirect contact, depending on product and use.
What changes in your structure
The same protection, with a material recyclers can actually recover.
Today
Multi-material laminate
- Printed PET film
- Lamination adhesive
- Aluminum or EVOH
- PE sealant film
Three materials that cannot be separated: not accepted in PE recycling.
With a water-based coating
Coated mono-material structure
- Printed MDO-PE film
- Michem® Flex oxygen barrier
- PE sealant film
All PE, with the barrier in a layer a few microns thick.
Four functions, one system
Each family solves one layer of the structure. They are combined according to substrate and process.
Primers and adhesion promoters
Build a reliable interface between the substrate and functional coatings, extrusion, or metallization to reduce adhesion failures and widen your process window.
View primers
Oxygen and aroma barriers
Replace costly and hard-to-recycle layers like EVOH or PVDC. Our Michem® Flex Barrier coatings offer transparent and flexible protection against oxygen, aromas, and mineral oils.
View barriers
Heat seal coatings
Heat seal coatings for evaluating alternatives to PE linings in paper structures. Validate closure, barrier and recyclability in the complete construction.
View heat seals
Surface resistance
From pizza boxes to detergent packaging. Protect the visual and structural integrity of your packaging with functional coatings that repel liquids and grease.
View grease resistanceResults you can measure in your plant
Reference values from the Michelman technology we represent.
100<0.8cc/m²/day
Oxygen out, without EVOH
Michem® Flex Barrier brings a PET film’s OTR below 0.8.
1.50.03cc/m²/day
High barrier on metallized film
On Met-PET, OTR drops from 1.5 to 0.03.
65 °Cseal initiation
Seals at low temperature
Water-based heat seals that start sealing from 65 °C on paper.
Manufacturer reference values (Michelman). Final performance is confirmed with a trial on your material and line.
Example structures
We define the structure first, then the coating.
This is what a package redesigned layer by layer can look like. These are illustrative examples; each case is validated on your line.
High-barrier paper bag
- Exterior: OPV Varnish (Thermal Protection + Gloss)
- Substrate: Kraft Paper
- Core: Oxygen Barrier Coating
- Interior: Heat Seal (Sealing + Grease Barrier)
Illustrative structure: validate barrier, sealing and recyclability.
Mono-material PE film
- Coating: Michem® Flex Oxygen Barrier
- Substrate: MDOPE (Oriented Polyethylene)
Illustrative structure: verify compatibility with the destination recycling stream.
How we work
Michelman technology, local support
We represent Michelman in the region and support trials at your plant.
Decisions based on data
Every recommendation is backed by OTR, MVTR and seal strength measurements.
Samples and pilot trials
Samples, pilot trials and formulation adjustments to reach production sooner.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get an oxygen barrier without EVOH or aluminum?
With a barrier coating such as Michem® Flex Barrier applied to the film or paper. On PET it brings OTR below 0.8 cc/m²/day, which makes mono-material structures possible.
What is a mono-material structure?
A package made from a single material family (all PE, all PP or paper) that can enter the matching recycling stream. The coatings add barrier and sealing in layers a few microns thick.
Do I need to change my equipment?
Usually not. The coatings run on flexo, gravure or coating stations already in the plant. We review your line before proposing a trial.
Let’s talk about your structure
Tell us the substrate, the function you need and your process. We will propose the coating and the trial.
Validate with a sample before you decide
Tell us about your application and an engineer will recommend the right coating for your substrate and your process.
An engineer replies within 24 business hours
Technical recommendation based on your substrate and line
Samples to validate on your own line, at no cost