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    "title": "BIOTEN Observer | Company News & Industry Insights",
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    "language": "en",
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        {
            "id": "/EN/news-2026-10-22-paper-packaging-exports-trade-remedies.html",
            "url": "/EN/news-2026-10-22-paper-packaging-exports-trade-remedies.html",
            "title": "From US Transshipment Investigations to Canadian Anti-Dumping Duties: Three Calculations for China’s Paper Packaging Exporters",
            "summary": "As China’s paper packaging industry expands globally, it should bring more than production capacity: products customers choose repeatedly, and the ability to keep solving new problems.",
            "content_text": "Building overseas does not necessarily remove exposure to trade remedies. Assess duties, delivery and manufacturing locations together, then use materials, process expertise and application capabilities to give global customers lasting reasons to choose your products.US duty orders on thermoformed molded fiber products cover China and Vietnam. A separate anti-dumping order on certain paper plates covers China, Thailand and Vietnam.The factory is operating in Vietnam or Thailand, equipment has been installed and workers hired. Why might shipments to the United States still face anti-dumping duties?Genuine overseas manufacturing may change a product’s country of origin, but it does not guarantee that the new origin is free from applicable trade measures.From the US investigation into Chinese molded fiber products allegedly transshipped through Malaysia to Canadian duties on certain molded tableware and investigations into paperboard cups and containers, businesses must reassess pricing, cash flow and investment returns.Three calculations belong together: duties, delivery and manufacturing footprint. Once those are clear, a longer-term question remains: when duty differentials change, why will customers keep choosing your products?Duties: identify your goods before focusing on headline ratesTwo Canadian cases provide a practical reminder.The first concerns thermoformed molded fiber plates, platters and bowls that meet the product definition and originate in or are exported from China. Following the Canadian International Trade Tribunal’s injury finding on June 26, 2026, the related anti-dumping and countervailing measures entered the duty-collection stage.The Canada Border Services Agency’s measures-in-force page states that, for subject imports from exporters without specific normal values, anti-dumping duty is 332.4% of the export price; for exporters without a specific amount of subsidy, the listed countervailing duty is RMB 4.83 per kilogram.One is calculated by value and the other by weight. Actual calculations must also account for the treatment applicable to the exporter and rules such as adjustments for export subsidies. These figures are not a common tax bill for every Chinese paper packaging company.For exporters with normal values, this statutory price benchmark must be compared with the export price under the applicable rules. Dumping margins reported for the investigation period in a final determination cannot simply be treated as the duty rate on every subsequent shipment.Responding to investigations, identifying product models and managing normal values are directly connected to future quotations and orders. They cannot be treated merely as paperwork to complete before customs clearance.The second is a separate investigation into certain wound paperboard cups and containers originating in or exported from China. It began on August 17, 2026, followed by a preliminary injury determination on October 16. According to the official schedule checked on October 22, the next milestone is a preliminary determination or termination of the investigations on November 16. The 332.4% figure from the molded tableware measure cannot be applied to this case.The scope also includes certain die-cut cup and container blanks ready for forming. Printed rolls that have not been die-cut fall outside the product definition. The case also specifies exclusions.For base paper suppliers, coaters and converters, this distinction matters: raw materials, intermediate products and finished goods within the same supply chain must be described and assessed separately. Tariff classification numbers help locate information, but coverage depends on the written product definition and exclusions.Accurate product identification is the starting point for calculating duties.Delivery: duty rates affect margins; collection timing affects cash flowThe US case raises another question: how much funding and documentation must be ready before the goods are released?In a notice dated September 9, 2026, US Customs and Border Protection announced the initiation of an investigation and interim measures in EAPA Consolidated Case 8308. CBP stated that it had reasonable suspicion that Chinese thermoformed molded fiber products imported by three companies had been transshipped through Malaysia to evade applicable anti-dumping and countervailing duties.This is an investigation with interim measures, not a final determination of evasion or a prohibition on all legitimate transit trade. The interim measures require the importers concerned to provide appropriate entry documentation and pay duties on covered goods before release, alongside suspension or extension of liquidation and a review of bonding arrangements.Both parties need to assess funding requirements together with release conditions. Inspections, delivery delays or additional storage may change the economics of an order that initially appeared profitable.There is also a date to watch in Canada’s paperboard cups and containers case. The statement of reasons for initiation explains that an affirmative preliminary determination could trigger provisional duties on subject imports released from that date onward.An order must remain commercially viable at release, as well as when it is signed.Businesses negotiating delivery schedules should clarify responsibilities with customers in advance: who handles import declarations, who funds additional duties and deposits, who bears inspection or delay costs, and which documents must be ready before shipment.Ordinary customs duties, additional tariffs, anti-dumping and countervailing duties, and other import taxes and charges must each be assessed under their own conditions. Cash deposits under the relevant US measures remain subject to subsequent assessment; they do not necessarily fix the final duty liability.A contract can allocate costs between the parties, but cannot alter statutory liability. Clear responsibilities and timing are essential to judging whether the margin in a quotation can actually be realized.Manufacturing footprint: why can an overseas factory still face anti-dumping duties?The US anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders on thermoformed molded fiber products published on January 27, 2026, explicitly cover China and Vietnam. Goods genuinely manufactured in Vietnam and legally determined to be of Vietnamese origin may therefore still fall under the measures applicable to Vietnam if they are within scope.In this situation, the issue is that Vietnam itself is covered by the orders, rather than an investigation into transshipment.Thailand also requires product-specific assessment. The US anti-dumping order on certain paper plates published on March 20, 2025, covers China, Thailand and Vietnam. It expressly excludes paper plates molded or pressed directly from pulp, so it must not be confused with the thermoformed molded fiber products case.Within one country, paper plates, molded tableware, paper cups and paper bags may face different measures. Each assessment should consider the specific product, origin, destination market, and producer–exporter combination.Adding a processing step in a third country does not replace this assessment. The relevant US molded fiber orders already cover certain further processing in third countries, including coating, laminating, printing and repackaging. Origin and scope must be checked against the actual manufacturing operations, applicable rules and production records.This does not mean overseas factories lack investment value. Proximity to customers, shorter lead times, access to local markets and supply-chain diversification can still create value. Actual duties may also differ by origin and company.However, if a project’s returns depend mainly on the assumption that relocation will provide lasting avoidance of these duties, that assumption needs to be tested again:If the duty advantage narrows, will the factory remain competitive in customers, efficiency, quality and service?Local materials, labor, energy, yield, logistics, taxes, duties and working capital must be assessed together to determine whether additional capacity is viable over the long term. A key risk is adding fixed costs while overestimating how long a duty advantage will last.Choosing an export market also requires more than a single tariff headline.Mexico’s tariff reform text published on December 29, 2025, effective January 1, 2026, lists a 25% rate for specified tariff lines covering corrugated cartons, non-corrugated folding cartons, and certain paper tableware and molded pulp articles. This is the rate for those tariff lines, not an additional 25 percentage points on top of an existing rate. Actual transactions still require checks for later amendments and preferential arrangements.Australia offers preferences under the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement for qualifying goods. Official guidance states that ordinary customs duties under the agreement have been eliminated for goods meeting Chinese origin and documentation requirements. Other taxes and any applicable trade remedies must be checked separately.The EU and UK also impose product and responsibility requirements beyond tariffs. The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) began applying in phases on August 12, 2026, including limits on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food-contact packaging. In the UK, qualifying packaging suppliers, importers and other businesses have extended producer responsibility obligations, including data reporting and applicable fees.Exporters and customers therefore need to prepare information on material composition, packaging weight, intended use and test documentation together. Market requirements vary, and opportunities must be assessed product by product and market by market.When duty advantages change, why will customers keep choosing you?These three calculations help identify markets worth investing in. The next challenge is to make the packaging customers need and deliver it reliably and economically.Hot-drink paper cups require secure bottom and side-seam seals. Food wrapping paper must combine grease resistance with barrier performance after folding. Meal containers must also withstand forming, transport and actual use. Packaging requirements in different markets ultimately depend on how materials, base paper, coatings and finished products work together.As manufacturing crosses borders, product capabilities must travel with it.This is where BIOTEN’s PHA water-based barrier technology can create long-term value. Based on bio-based materials and aqueous coating processes, it connects base paper, barrier layers, processing conditions and end-use needs, helping partners develop paper-based packaging with defined applications, stable processes and supporting product documentation.For paper mills, this means matching fiber blends, paper strength and surface properties to specific applications. For coaters, it means developing stable processes around dry coat weight, drying, line speed and subsequent converting. For paper cup and foodservice packaging manufacturers, it means delivering barrier, heat-sealing and forming performance in the complete article, while assessing economics through yield and total cost per thousand conforming packs.In material sourcing, bio-based PHA components offer an option for reducing reliance on fossil feedstocks. In product design, material use can be optimized for the application, while appropriate fiber-recycling or composting pathways are developed with the complete paper product and target market in mind. This reflects BIOTEN’s application approach: reduction at source, recovery at end of life, and biodegradation where appropriate.These capabilities address lasting customer needs rather than a temporary duty differential. They must develop alongside trade compliance: material solutions are evaluated for the finished product’s intended use, while tariff treatment is assessed against the specific product, origin and applicable measures.BIOTEN welcomes joint development with paper mills, coaters, paper cup makers and foodservice packaging manufacturers, starting with one target market, one representative product and actual production-line conditions. Whether manufacturing is based in China or overseas, the aim is to build shared product specifications, process knowledge, quality requirements and documentation that support further applications.All three calculations must reconcile within the same order. Technical and production teams define the product; trade, compliance and import partners verify the rules; finance and commercial teams assess returns together. First identify the business worth pursuing, then use materials and application innovation to make it more valuable.As China’s paper packaging industry expands globally, it should bring more than production capacity: products customers choose repeatedly, and the ability to keep solving new problems.Research noteThis article was prepared by BIOTEN Packaging using public information from customs authorities, trade remedy agencies, governments and companies, with checks current to October 22, 2026. Tariff reform texts and historical materials are used as dated in the article. It is intended for industry research and learning and does not constitute advice on specific customs declarations, investments or legal matters, or a guarantee of product performance. Actual duties and product applicability depend on the entity, date, destination market and valid documentation concerned. For corrections, clarification or removal requests, please contact this WeChat official account; we will review and address the request within 24 hours of receipt.BIOTEN Insights: data and verification sourcesUS CBP | Notice of initiation and interim measures, EAPA Consolidated Case 8308US Department of Commerce | Anti-dumping duty order on thermoformed molded fiber productsUS Department of Commerce | Countervailing duty order on thermoformed molded fiber productsUS Department of Commerce | Anti-dumping duty orders on certain paper plates from China, Thailand and VietnamUS trade remedy rules | Scope and country-of-origin determinationsCanada CBSA | Thermoformed molded fibre tableware: measures in force and duty liabilityCanada CBSA | Thermoformed molded fibre tableware: final determinations and normal valuesCanada CITT | Injury finding on thermoformed molded fibre tablewareCanada CBSA | Paperboard cups and containers: investigation scope and subsequent proceduresCanada CITT | Preliminary injury determination on paperboard cups and containersCanada CBSA | Paperboard cups and containers: investigation scheduleGovernment of Mexico | Tariff reform text of December 29, 2025Australia DFAT | China–Australia Free Trade Agreement: import and origin guidanceEuropean Commission | Start of PPWR application and PFAS restrictions for food-contact packagingUK Government | Packaging extended producer responsibility: obligated businesses and requirementsEuropean Commission | Policy framework for bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plasticsDBC | BIOTEN PHA water-based barrier engineering for paper packagingDBC | PHA bio-based aqueous functional emulsion platformRead Original",
            "date_published": "2026-10-22T00:00:00+08:00",
            "date_modified": "2026-10-22T00:00:00+08:00",
            "language": "en",
            "tags": [
                "Industry Insights"
            ],
            "image": "/docs/assets/images/news/news-2026-10-22-paper-packaging-exports-trade-remedies/cms-image-d21a8b25f02b72dc.jpg"
        },
        {
            "id": "/EN/news-2026-10-12-flower-wrapping-paper-functional-packaging.html",
            "url": "/EN/news-2026-10-12-flower-wrapping-paper-functional-packaging.html",
            "title": "Why Beautiful Bouquet Wrapping Is a Technical Opportunity for Paper Manufacturers",
            "summary": "Use one packaging application to identify a wider set of needs, then turn one area of expertise into a range of products.",
            "content_text": "Starting with bouquet wrapping, we explore how paper feel, moisture resistance and converting performance create customer value—and open up opportunities in plant sleeves, produce bags and surface protection for cartons.When a bouquet reaches the customer, its wrapping should complement the flowers and remain neat and clean. Residual water on stems, wet hands, folding and delivery all put that presentation to the test. For paper manufacturers, combining paper feel, moisture resistance and converting performance creates an opportunity to turn decorative paper into a product with a clearly defined purpose.Bouquets offer a visible starting point. They connect the texture, surface functionality and converting capabilities of paper with specific needs in gifting, retail and product delivery.From looking good to working wellSpecialty paper producer Ahlstrom offers Cristal horticultural wrapping paper for bouquets, potted plants and herbs. Its stated features include moisture resistance, the distinctive feel of paper, and suitability for printing and gluing. It provides a commercial reference for developing paper feel and functionality together.In a flower shop, a sheet needs to be picked up, folded and secured quickly, while retaining its appearance during carrying, transport and display. Beyond moisture resistance, ease of folding, reliable tape adhesion and resistance to colour bleeding when wet all influence whether a florist will keep using the material.The base paper’s texture, stiffness and water absorption need to work with the surface treatment. Coating placement and drying conditions must also accommodate subsequent printing and bonding. When comparing treatments, keep the base paper, tape and wrapping method constant, then assess the complete bouquet after transport and display to identify where improvements are needed.The functions also need to be clearly allocated. Where a continuous water supply is required, dedicated water-retaining bags or hydration devices should hold the water. The outer paper provides moisture resistance, shape and presentation. Placing each function where it belongs helps preserve both paper feel and practical performance.Bouquet wrapping paper must look good at the counter and perform well all the way to the recipient.The trade behind a bouquetAccording to a transcript of a Yunnan provincial press conference published in May 2026, Yunnan produced 22.15 billion cut-flower stems in 2025, accounting for approximately 70% of China’s total.In the Netherlands, flower trading platform Royal FloraHolland reported in its 2025 annual report that flowers and plants generated approximately €5.4 billion in product turnover. The same report states that the number of flowers and plants sold fell by 2% year on year, with turnover growth mainly driven by higher average unit prices.These figures describe production scale and the value of product trading. They cannot be converted directly into demand for wrapping paper. The more useful question for paper manufacturers is where, along the journey from production through distribution to retail, these products need more suitable paper packaging.Opportunities need not depend solely on growth in the number of products sold. Presentation, packing operations, protection during transport and reliable supply can all create new product requirements.Market scale shows where to look for demand; specific products determine which part of the business a supplier can serve.Three packaging opportunities beyond bouquetsRetail paper sleeves for potted plants and herbsThese sleeves contain living plants. Development must consider condensation caused by temperature changes, watering in stores, leaf protection, ventilation and barcode scanning. Experience in moisture-resistant surfaces, coating and printing can be reused, but sleeve shape, openings, paper grade and the way the sleeve is fitted and removed must be designed around the plant.Paper bags for short-distance delivery of fresh fruit and wet vegetablesBillerud already offers paper materials and bag applications for fruit and vegetables. In product development, the emphasis shifts from bouquet appearance to the load-bearing performance of a wet bag base, handles, glue lines and puncture resistance. Food-contact suitability, ventilation and the condition of the produce must also be defined for the intended use.Surface protection for retail cartonsCarton surfaces must withstand wet hands, rubbing and display while preserving graphics and tactile quality and remaining suitable for creasing and gluing. ACTEGA’s paper and board business offers coatings, primers and inks. This application builds on surface-treatment expertise, with specifications established around the board, inks and carton-gluing conditions.These applications serve florists, plant retailers, fresh-produce channels and consumer brands, giving base-paper producers, coaters and converters different routes into product development.Development capabilities can be reused; product specifications must be established for each application.Evaluate the business beyond the price per tonnePaper manufacturers typically calculate material costs by the tonne. Customers also assess the cost of delivering each bouquet, potted plant or bag of produce. Connecting these two perspectives makes the value of the material easier to see.Consider a hypothetical labour-time calculation: an extra 5 seconds per bouquet adds up to approximately 83 minutes for 1,000 bouquets. Operating time is part of the cost, alongside the unit price of paper.For bouquet wrapping, compare the total packaging cost per 1,000 bouquets that meet requirements, including paper, coating and printing, slitting, wrapping, rewrapping and packaging-related returns. For plant sleeves, assess the cost per 1,000 potted plants ready for retail display; for produce bags, per 1,000 bags delivered intact; and for cartons, per 1,000 units meeting both appearance and bonding requirements.Whether an additional treatment is worthwhile depends on whether it solves a problem with the existing solution and justifies its processing and delivery costs. Some applications need added surface functionality; others benefit more from a different paper grade, structure or handling method.BIOTEN and its partners: turning one area of expertise into a product rangeBIOTEN Packaging aims to work with papermaking, coating, printing and finished-product partners on PHA-based waterborne barrier solutions, jointly exploring paper-based products that balance paper feel, moisture resistance and converting performance.Paper manufacturers provide suitable grades, colours and batch consistency. Coating, printing and converting partners bring together surface properties, graphics, cutting, folding and bonding. End users define real operating conditions. BIOTEN contributes to defining applications, matching base papers with functional layers, and evaluating performance from paper samples through to complete packaging.A company does not need to develop every product at once. It can start with a familiar paper grade, one customer and one application, establish sound specifications, batch consistency and performance in use, then assess which experience can be transferred to adjacent markets.For China’s paper and paper-packaging supply chain, this approach can turn manufacturing strengths into the ability to develop products for different customers and markets.Bouquets are a starting point. The deeper opportunity is to keep translating paper texture, functionality and converting capabilities into products customers need.Use one packaging application to identify a wider set of needs, then turn one area of expertise into a range of products.Research NoteThis article was independently prepared by BIOTEN Packaging using public government information, company annual reports, product literature and existing application research. Information was checked as of 12 October 2026. It is intended for industry research and learning and does not constitute a procurement or performance guarantee. To request a correction, clarification or removal, please contact our WeChat official account. We will review and address the request within 24 hours of receipt.BIOTEN Insights: Data and Verification SourcesAhlstrom | Horticultural wrapping paper for bouquets, potted plants and herbsYunnan Provincial Department of Transport | Transcript of the Yunnan press conferenceRoyal FloraHolland | Annual Report 2025Billerud | Paper materials and packaging applications for fruit and vegetablesACTEGA | Coatings, primers and inks for paper and boardFloraLife | Bouquet hydration systems for transport and operating instructionsChrysal | Hydration devices and water-retaining structures for bouquet deliveryBIOTEN PackagingOriginal source access restricted",
            "date_published": "2026-10-12T00:00:00+08:00",
            "date_modified": "2026-10-12T00:00:00+08:00",
            "language": "en",
            "tags": [
                "Industry Insights"
            ],
            "image": "/docs/assets/images/news/news-2026-10-12-flower-wrapping-paper-functional-packaging/cms-image-6ffc90f56a35b251.jpg"
        },
        {
            "id": "/EN/news-2026-10-12-bakery-paper-bags-grease-moisture-balance.html",
            "url": "/EN/news-2026-10-12-bakery-paper-bags-grease-moisture-balance.html",
            "title": "Freshly Baked Bread: Why Paper Bags Need More Than Grease Resistance",
            "summary": "The paper bag holds the bread; the supply chain must preserve the experience the brand delivers to its customer.",
            "content_text": "Starting with grease stains and the texture of croissants, we explore how base paper, coating and bag making can work together to create bakery bags tailored to customer needs.A croissant is cooled according to the shop’s procedure, placed in a paper bag and handed to the customer. Staff want to prevent grease from seeping through; the customer expects the pastry to retain its flaky texture when the bag is opened. Both may seem to be questions of packaging quality, but they involve different technical challenges.A bag without grease stains does not necessarily mean the bread is still crisp.For papermakers, coaters and bag manufacturers, this is the opportunity: to develop grease-resistant paper into a packaging product suited to a specific food, converting process and set of use conditions.Grease resistance and texture retention are separate tasksButter in contact with the bag wall can penetrate the pores and fibre channels of the paper, creating grease stains. The base-paper structure and surface functionality must work together to limit this penetration.Moisture follows a different path. It migrates between the bread’s interior and crust, while the bread also exchanges moisture with the environment inside and outside the package. A bread study published in the Journal of Cereal Science links the moisture condition of the crust to its crispness and shows that the structure of the food itself also affects the outcome.If the product is bagged while still warm, released water vapour can condense on cooler packaging surfaces and create additional moisture. Good grease resistance alone cannot resolve these issues.In 2015, a master’s study at Lund University on croissant packaging compared 10 commercial packaging materials, examining moisture, texture and sensory performance. The study emphasised controlling moisture transfer between the food and its surroundings, rather than simply seeking the strongest possible barrier.Flaky pastries therefore require appropriate heat and vapour release, while soft bread needs protection against excessive moisture loss. Bagging time, the way the bag is closed and the intended time of consumption should all form part of the product specification.Good packaging limits unwanted grease penetration while allowing the moisture exchange the food needs.Behind each paper bag is a recurring purchasing needBillerud’s Basix range is offered for bread and pastry bags. Within the range, Basix Repel Pure has a grammage of 38–45 g/m² and is intended for grease-resistant bags and wrapping paper. This figure refers to the grammage of the supplied paper, not the coating weight. It provides a commercial reference for an application-specific product.End users also have requirements at scale. UK bakery food retailer Greggs reported in its 2025 annual report that it had 2,739 shops trading at year-end. Shop numbers do not indicate paper-bag purchasing volumes, but they illustrate how packaging must perform across repeated bagging, display and delivery operations.For suppliers, the goal should extend beyond a single sample trial: establish consistent specifications for a product category so that different paper batches and operations across different shops can meet agreed requirements.From base paper to finished bags: the opportunity lies in coordinationPapermakers: match the base paper to the applicationFibre structure, grammage, stiffness, surface uniformity and inherent grease resistance affect printing, functional treatment and bag making. Established specialty base papers should be a starting point for development, rather than an overlooked benchmark.Coaters: determine where functionality is needed and how much material to applyThe bag body, folded base and areas of concentrated grease contact perform different tasks. Full-surface versus localised treatment, material application rates and drying conditions should be compared using the actual food. More coating does not necessarily create more value.Bag manufacturers: turn paper samples into finished productsGrease penetration at creases, glue-line adhesion, base strength and ease of opening and filling all affect the customer experience. Where a transparent window is included, its material and bonding must also be considered together.Companies with expertise in lightweight food-packaging papers can add coating, printing and bag making, or work with partners for conversion. New opportunities need not begin with a major capacity expansion. Identifying a food product, a converting problem and a clear purchasing specification first makes it easier to decide which investment is worthwhile.Start development with one croissant or a bread product containing fat. Use food from the same batch, with consistent cooling times and bagging methods, then compare grease staining, condensation, eating texture and bag-base performance before adjusting one factor at a time. This produces specifications that can guide volume production.An advantage demonstrated on a paper sample becomes a product advantage only after converting and real-world use.BIOTEN: connecting materials with commercial applicationsBIOTEN Packaging’s work on PHA-based waterborne barrier solutions focuses on applications like these, where materials and converting processes must work together.Our approach to joint development is to select suitable base paper with papermakers, study coating placement and application rates with coating partners, and coordinate folded bases, glue lines and filling with bag manufacturers. Bakery customers define the food and actual conditions of use.Material use should address specific problems. Localised treatment, optimised application rates and coordinated structural design can help balance grease resistance, paper feel and eating texture, while giving material reduction at source a concrete engineering focus.To decide whether a solution is worth purchasing, assess the total cost per 1,000 bags delivered to specification: paper, coating, printing, bag-making waste, in-store operations, and packaging-related rebagging and write-offs. The unit price of the material is only one component.If grease staining decreases but bag-making rejects or in-store filling time increase, the process and structure need further adjustment. Measuring cost per conforming unit delivered makes it possible to see whether the functional treatment creates a real net benefit.When performance in use, converting consistency and total cost all meet requirements, a collaboration has the potential to grow from a batch of paper samples into an ongoing product business.Partners with bakery-bag paper or bag-making capabilities can start with an existing paper bag and a representative food product, and work with BIOTEN to define the next product iteration.From freshly baked croissants to pastries rich in fats, China’s paper-packaging supply chain can use its expertise in paper grades, coating and converting to develop products for different markets.The paper bag holds the bread; the supply chain must preserve the experience the brand delivers to its customer.Research NoteThis article was independently prepared by BIOTEN Packaging using company annual reports, public product literature, scientific papers and application research. Information was checked as of 12 October 2026. It is intended for industry research and learning and does not constitute a procurement or performance guarantee. To request a correction, clarification or removal, please contact our WeChat official account. We will review and address the request within 24 hours of receipt.BIOTEN Insights: Data and Verification SourcesBillerud | Papers for bread, pastry and grease-resistant bagsGreggs | Annual Report 2025TNO Repository | Research on bread-crust moisture and crispnessLund University | Research on packaging and quality of freshly baked croissantsBIOTEN PackagingOriginal source access restricted",
            "date_published": "2026-10-12T00:00:00+08:00",
            "date_modified": "2026-10-12T00:00:00+08:00",
            "language": "en",
            "tags": [
                "Industry Insights"
            ],
            "image": "/docs/assets/images/news/news-2026-10-12-bakery-paper-bags-grease-moisture-balance/existing-cover-en.jpg"
        },
        {
            "id": "/EN/news-2026-10-11-alternicq-pulpex-paper-bottle-partnership.html",
            "url": "/EN/news-2026-10-11-alternicq-pulpex-paper-bottle-partnership.html",
            "title": "Why Would a Plastic Packaging Company Adopt Paper Bottle Technology?",
            "summary": "A change in packaging need not mean a change of supplier—provided you can support your customer’s next choice.",
            "content_text": "A paper bottle partnership offers a useful perspective on how packaging companies can turn customer knowledge, materials innovation and manufacturing capabilities into opportunities for the next round of product development.Your customers may still be buying your existing products while turning to another supplier to develop their next packaging format. For a packaging company, retaining today’s orders does not necessarily mean participating in tomorrow’s growth.On 6 October 2026, Indian rigid plastic packaging manufacturer Alternicq, formerly Manjushree Technopack, and UK-based Pulpex announced an exclusive partnership to bring pulp fibre bottle technology to India and jointly assess customer demand and local manufacturing requirements.The company has not announced an exit from plastics. It is adding another packaging option for its customers. The partnership announcement explicitly describes a shift from a packaging supplier focused on scale towards a one-stop solutions partner spanning materials and product categories.Continuing the plastics business while adding paper bottle technology raises a deeper business question: how can suppliers use long-standing customer relationships to meet emerging packaging needs?Retain existing orders—and earn a place in new projectsAlternicq states on its website that it serves more than 1,000 customers across sectors including food, beverages, personal care and household cleaning. This established customer base also gives it an opportunity to identify new packaging needs among businesses it already knows.Suppliers may organise their businesses around paper grades, resins and processes. Brands, however, need a complete package: one that contains and protects the product, runs smoothly on filling lines, stands out on the shelf, offers reasonable costs and has a viable end-of-life route.When customers begin evaluating fibre packaging, new projects may go to other technology partners if their existing supplier can offer only plastic solutions. Expanding materials and manufacturing capabilities helps suppliers remain involved in their customers’ product development.At that point, the value accumulated over the years extends beyond equipment. Understanding customers’ contents, filling lines, transport conditions and quality issues—and translating those requirements into product specifications—is also a capability that is difficult to replicate.A change of packaging does not remove the need to protect the contents or meet filling, storage and transport requirements. Bringing these established requirements into discussions about materials, structure and processes allows existing customer knowledge to become a development advantage in new projects.The earlier a supplier participates in product development, the greater its opportunity to discuss what packaging is needed, rather than simply quoting a price once the specifications have been set.When customers need new packaging options, maintaining the relationship matters more than staying within the boundaries of a single material.From a formed bottle body to reliable packagingMoulding pulp fibres creates the bottle structure, but holding liquids also requires barrier performance and effective sealing. According to the Pulpex partnership announcement, the bottle uses a spray-applied internal barrier coating, and the technology platform also addresses filling-line compatibility and bottle decoration.On 22 September, UK household cleaning brand smol announced plans to launch laundry liquid in a pulp fibre bottle developed with Pulpex in autumn 2026. The brand describes a fibre body, a thin water-based inner coating and a recycled polypropylene dosing cap. For disposal in the UK, it advises separating the cap into the plastics recycling stream and the bottle into paper and card recycling.Once filled with laundry liquid, the inner surface must maintain its barrier performance, the bottle neck and cap must seal reliably, and the package must withstand filling, handling and storage. Product protection must last beyond the freshly made sample bottle.For coating and barrier specialists, performance demonstrated on flat paper samples must also be achieved in a three-dimensional bottle. Can the shoulder, inner walls and base be coated evenly? Does drying produce a continuous barrier? Does that barrier work with the structure and closure? A material that performs well on its own must also help the complete package work reliably in use.Pulpex currently states that its bottles are intended for non-carbonated liquids, while a version for carbonated drinks remains in development. This also points to a clear development sequence for the supply chain: establish reliable performance in suitable applications before expanding into others.Pulp forms the bottle body; the barrier and structure determine what it can hold; and the manufacturing system determines how many conforming units can be delivered.A partnership agreement needs a complete delivery capabilityOn 8 October, Pulpex announced the opening of its commercial manufacturing facility near Glasgow, fitted for an initial capacity of up to 40 million bottles per year. The company positions the site as a reference facility for future licensed manufacturing partners. This figure represents announced installed capacity, not annual sales already achieved.This gives partners a way to assess the technology through an operating manufacturing system, rather than judging it solely by a sample bottle.The technology company supplies the product platform and process system; the local packaging manufacturer contributes customer knowledge, production management and market support. One turns the technology into an adoptable system, while the other organises development and delivery around local demand. Connecting these capabilities gives the new product a chance to become a purchasing option for local customers.The partners in India still need to jointly determine priority categories, product and regulatory requirements, and the site and equipment requirements for local manufacturing. Experience in plastic packaging provides a foundation, but fibre bottle processes and production-line requirements still need dedicated validation.An exclusive partnership creates market development opportunities. What customers ultimately buy, however, is a consistent supply of products that meet their specifications.The cost calculation must go beyond the purchase prices of pulp and resin. Coating consumption, drying energy, equipment and tooling amortisation, licensing fees, production losses and transport all contribute to the total cost per 1,000 conforming packs delivered.Competing solutions must also be compared at the same capacity and against the same product-protection and shelf-life requirements. If reduced material use leads to more rejects or higher energy consumption, the raw-material savings may be cancelled out.Validating product protection, filling-line compatibility, delivery costs and local recycling conditions together provides a sound basis for deciding whether a packaging format merits long-term adoption.Technology partnerships open the door to a market; reliable delivery turns that access into lasting business.Bring your expertise into your customers’ new projectsFor China’s paper packaging supply chain, the more valuable lesson is how to connect existing strengths with emerging demand.Companies with fibre-processing expertise can investigate pulp formulations and their suitability for moulding. Moulded fibre producers can address bottle consistency and manufacturing efficiency. Barrier material suppliers can develop three-dimensional coating processes and product protection. Packaging companies with established customers and converting capabilities can lead joint development and commercial delivery.Not every company needs to build its own paper bottle line. The more useful question is: which area of your expertise can solve a problem in new packaging that a customer is willing to pay to address?In the next customer discussion, start by identifying which product is being considered for a packaging upgrade, which performance requirements must be maintained, and which limitations of the existing solution are hardest to overcome.Then select a suitable application in non-carbonated beverages, condiments or household cleaning products. Define the capacity, contents, conditions of use and cost targets, and evaluate materials, structure and manufacturing within the same validation programme.Identify a specific project before selecting the combination of technologies. This makes it easier to direct R&D investment towards actual customer requirements and turn technical discussions into product development.This is also why BIOTEN Packaging continues to focus on applications and barrier engineering: materials innovation must translate into products that customers can use, production lines can manufacture consistently, and economics can justify.By introducing paper bottles, Alternicq seeks a role in its customers’ next round of product development. By finding manufacturing partners, Pulpex expands the routes through which its technology can reach local markets. Connecting customers, technology and manufacturing is what gives the market access created by a partnership the potential to become a long-term business.A change in packaging need not mean a change of supplier—provided you can support your customer’s next choice.Research NoteThis article was independently researched and prepared by BIOTEN Packaging using publicly available information from the partners, brands and technology companies discussed. Information was checked as of 10 October 2026. It is intended for industry research and learning and should not be used as the basis for specific procurement or investment decisions. To request a correction, clarification or removal, please contact our WeChat official account. We will review and address the request within 24 hours of receipt.BIOTEN Insights: Data and Verification SourcesPulpex | Announcement of the Alternicq pulp fibre bottle partnershipAlternicq | Company operations and customer informationsmol | Pulp fibre laundry bottle launch plans and packaging structurePulpex | Fibre bottle applications and functional specificationsPulpex | Announcement of the commercial manufacturing facility opening near GlasgowRead Original",
            "date_published": "2026-10-11T00:00:00+08:00",
            "date_modified": "2026-10-11T00:00:00+08:00",
            "language": "en",
            "tags": [
                "Industry Insights"
            ],
            "image": "/docs/assets/images/news/news-2026-10-11-alternicq-pulpex-paper-bottle-partnership/cms-image-69834f761c03997c.jpg"
        },
        {
            "id": "/EN/news-2026-10-10-global-paper-giants-competitive-strengths.html",
            "url": "/EN/news-2026-10-10-global-paper-giants-competitive-strengths.html",
            "title": "What Makes Three Global Paper Giants Truly Competitive?",
            "summary": "From manufacturing networks and local service to materials development, we examine how paper companies turn expertise and capacity into products customers need—and measure their investments against business results.",
            "content_text": "From manufacturing networks and local service to materials development, we examine how paper companies turn expertise and capacity into products customers need—and measure their investments against business results.Scale gives a company more production capacity. But expanding capacity alone cannot explain why customers keep choosing it.In 2025, Smurfit Westrock reported net sales of US$31.179 billion and a net income margin of approximately 2.2%. International Paper, meanwhile, states in its public business overview that most competition takes place within roughly 250 miles, or about 400 kilometers, of a customer’s facility.Research references: Annual results and customer service overview.These two facts reveal a practical reality of competition in the paper industry: even a very large business must earn an adequate return, and even a global business must win orders at individual customer sites.Chinese companies face a similar question: with advanced equipment and skilled teams, why do some products still compete mainly on price?Meeting product specifications is the starting point. Earning customers’ continued preference is the business outcome to pursue.The business strategies of Smurfit Westrock, International Paper, and Oji Holdings offer a useful perspective: how they coordinate resources, manufacturing, and specialist expertise, put those capabilities to work in customers’ products, and assess investments through business results.Smurfit Westrock:Turning a Manufacturing Network into Product CapabilitiesSmurfit Westrock’s 2025 annual report describes operations in 40 countries, with 57 paper mills, 450 converting plants, and 70 recovered fiber facilities.Paper mills supply containerboard, paperboard, and other materials; converting plants turn them into packaging; and recovery facilities help return fiber to use. Together, this network provides capabilities across several stages, from materials to finished packaging.Research reference: 2025 annual report.The network’s value, however, must ultimately be demonstrated in specific products.In the company’s Andersen EV charger packaging case study, the customer needed to protect high-value products while making handling, installation, and unpacking easier.The development team designed packaging from technical specifications and used its Paper to Box tool to determine the minimum board caliper needed for strength and rigidity. The outer box and internal fittings were then matched to the requirements of use. Both charger models shared the same internal fitting design, creating consistency across the product range.Research reference: Andersen packaging case study.A customer’s problem cannot be solved simply by assuming that thicker board is better. Materials, structure, and conversion must work together to meet requirements for protection, handling, and brand presentation.This approach gives customers reasons to assess a supplier beyond unit purchase price: Is the material used appropriately? Is the product protected reliably? Is the packaging easy to handle? Can delivery commitments be met consistently?The cost of buying paper is only one part of the customer’s total cost of use.For paper mills and packaging manufacturers, technical teams therefore need to understand more than specifications at the factory gate. They also need to know which properties matter once the paper becomes part of a customer’s product, and which investments can improve performance.Scale still requires capital discipline. Smurfit Westrock reported approximately US$3.39 billion in net cash from operating activities and approximately US$2.19 billion in capital expenditure in 2025, a difference of around US$1.2 billion. During the same year, it also closed high-cost or inefficient capacity.Research reference: 2025 full-year results.Even industry leaders must decide which capabilities to expand and which assets to adjust. The number of factories provides a foundation, but it cannot replace that judgment.International Paper:Competing Globally Means Serving Customers LocallyInternational Paper’s 2025 annual report lists net sales of US$23.634 billion and reports 159 converting and packaging plants in the United States as of the filing date. Its acquisition of DS Smith also expanded the group’s European packaging network.Research reference: 2025 annual report.Its stated competitive radius of roughly 400 kilometers gives globalization a more concrete meaning.For a customer, a global supplier’s reputation matters, but daily concerns remain local: Will packaging arrive on time? Can the supplier respond to changes in specifications? Will problems be resolved quickly?A lower purchase price may not reduce the customer’s total cost if it brings more production-line adjustments or delivery risk.Once packaging is matched to a customer’s production lines and multiple facilities, switching suppliers requires specifications, production, and delivery arrangements to be validated again. Reliable service can turn a routine purchasing relationship into closer collaboration.Research reference: Business transformation and customer service overview.Scale takes a business into more markets; service keeps it close to its customers.International Paper’s investment decisions also show how customer needs guide manufacturing. The company announced a US$250 million upgrade at its Riverdale containerboard mill in Selma, Alabama, to offer strategic customers lighter-weight, higher-performance grades.Research reference: Investment and transformation overview.This makes capacity expansion a more specific decision: Who will the new capabilities serve? What problems will they solve? How will they fit into customers’ converting operations and end uses?At the same time, the group has been narrowing its portfolio. It completed the DS Smith acquisition in 2025 and the sale of its Global Cellulose Fibers business in January 2026, sharpening its focus on packaging.Research references: Acquisition and business information; divestment completion announcement.Expansion and divestment can serve the same purpose: directing limited capital and organizational capacity toward businesses that better fit the company.This transformation still needs to prove itself in business results. International Paper reported a loss from continuing operations of approximately US$2.838 billion in 2025, including substantial goodwill impairment, accelerated depreciation, and restructuring charges. Its reported free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, was negative US$159 million.Research reference: Annual earnings and cash flow disclosures.Customer networks and a focused portfolio are important capabilities. Whether they produce lasting returns depends on operational improvement and the results of capital investment.Oji Holdings:Opening New Applications Through Resources and Materials TechnologyFor the full fiscal year ended March 2026, Oji Holdings reported group net sales of approximately JPY 1.862 trillion. Based on sales to external customers, Printing and Communications Media accounted for about 11.5% of the total, and Functional Materials for about 11.9%. Traditional paper grades alone no longer describe the scope of its business.Research reference: Annual results and segment sales disclosures.The group operates in pulp, forest plantations, energy, and wood processing, alongside corrugated containers, folding cartons, paper bags, and liquid packaging. It also applies its capabilities to specialty papers, imaging materials, adhesive products, and films.Research reference: Business portfolio overview.Upstream resources give a company greater influence over supply and costs. Materials and processing technologies help those resources serve different applications.A concrete example comes from Oji’s March 2025 announcement: SILBIO ALBA, an aluminum-metallized paper produced by Oji F-Tex, was selected for coffee bean bags sold by GEOPACK to coffee roasters.According to the company, the material combines barriers to oxygen, water vapor, and light. GEOPACK makes it into flat-bottom bags suited to upright shelf display and postal delivery. Oji supplies the material, while the bag manufacturer develops the packaging structure and application.Research reference: Coffee bean packaging announcement.For a bag of coffee, the customer considers more than the base paper price: moisture protection, aroma retention, display, and distribution also matter. Materials development and packaging conversion need to address these requirements together.This case makes application development tangible: add the functions a customer needs to a paper substrate, then work with a converting partner to turn it into usable packaging.Resources shape part of the cost; applications create new opportunities for value.For Chinese companies, the useful question is what new products their existing paper grades, coating and converting capabilities, and customer experience could support. Matching Oji’s forest holdings is not a prerequisite.Business expansion also needs financial discipline. In Oji’s latest completed fiscal year, operating profit fell 48.9% year on year, while net cash from operating activities was JPY 113.376 billion. A broad portfolio creates development opportunities, but it does not remove the challenges of cost, business cycles, and capital allocation.Research reference: Annual earnings and cash flow disclosures.Learning from Industry Leaders Starts with Knowing Where Your Strengths Can Make a DifferenceThe three companies follow different paths. Smurfit Westrock connects its manufacturing network with packaging development. International Paper focuses on packaging and regional customer service. Oji builds on accumulated resources and technology to expand into materials and applications.Even the same strategic question can lead to different choices. International Paper is narrowing its business scope, while Oji operates across multiple materials businesses. More stages of production do not automatically mean a better business. What matters is whether the capabilities fit the company’s strengths, customer needs, and capital commitments.For Chinese papermakers, coaters, and packaging manufacturers, the lesson is to understand how their own expertise can contribute to customers’ products, rather than to replicate the giants’ scale.Base paper producers need to understand downstream converting. Coaters need to understand how the functional layer works with the base paper and forming process. Converters need to bring end-use requirements into material and process selection.Technical specialists therefore need a role in defining and validating applications, as well as implementing projects once a direction has been chosen.Cost reduction remains important. It is also worth giving technical teams access to customer requirements, application data, and trial facilities so they can develop new products that customers will keep choosing.No single company needs to own every stage. Paper mills, materials companies, and converting partners can work toward a clear product objective, jointly verifying improvements in use and consistency in manufacturing.Before the next round of investment, ask: What do customers need? Which problems can our strengths solve? How can the improvement generate a lasting return?BIOTEN Packaging welcomes collaboration with papermakers, coaters, and converters to examine existing base paper strengths, functional materials, and equipment capabilities in specific applications. Starting with a familiar paper grade and a clearly defined use case, partners can turn collaboration into valuable products.The capabilities worth expanding are those customers need, that can be delivered consistently, and that stand up to financial scrutiny.BIOTEN Packaging · Industry Insights · Research NoteThis article was independently researched and compiled by BIOTEN Packaging using company annual financial reports, official announcements, and publicly available application cases, with verification current as of October 10, 2026. Smurfit Westrock and International Paper figures cover calendar year 2025; Oji figures cover the fiscal year from April 2025 to March 2026. Amounts remain in their original currencies. This article is for industry research and learning and does not constitute investment or purchasing advice. For corrections, clarification, or removal requests, please contact us through this WeChat official account. We will review and address requests within 24 hours of receipt.BIOTEN Insights: Data and Verification SourcesSmurfit Westrock: 2025 Annual ReportSmurfit Westrock: 2025 Full-Year ResultsSmurfit Westrock: Andersen EV Charger Packaging Case StudyInternational Paper: 2025 Annual ReportInternational Paper: Business Transformation, Customer Service, and InvestmentInternational Paper: Completion of the Global Cellulose Fibers DivestmentOji Holdings: Results for the Fiscal Year Ended March 2026Oji Holdings: Business PortfolioOji Holdings: SILBIO ALBA Coffee Bean Packaging AnnouncementRead Original",
            "date_published": "2026-10-10T00:00:00+08:00",
            "date_modified": "2026-10-10T00:00:00+08:00",
            "language": "en",
            "tags": [
                "Industry Insights"
            ],
            "image": "/docs/assets/images/news/news-2026-10-10-global-paper-giants-competitive-strengths/cms-image-d3adca70935e5c5c.jpg"
        },
        {
            "id": "/EN/news-2026-10-01-national-day-china-paper-global-life.html",
            "url": "/EN/news-2026-10-01-national-day-china-paper-global-life.html",
            "title": "China’s National Day: From Paper Made in China to Everyday Life Around the World",
            "summary": "Celebrating China’s National Day with a sheet of paper, a paper cup, and warm wishes.",
            "content_text": "From everyday moments during China’s National Day holiday to packaging used around the world, we explore how China’s paper packaging value chain turns expertise into products—and celebrate the people whose manufacturing and innovation serve everyday life worldwide.During China’s National Day holiday, some people set off to explore the country, while others return to their families. A hot coffee at the station, a freshly prepared meal at a scenic destination, a box of local pastries brought home: paper is part of them all.A paper cup holds a moment of rest on a journey. Wrapping paper protects freshly prepared food. A paper box carries a thoughtful gift home to loved ones.These things are so familiar that we rarely pause to ask: Where did this sheet of paper come from? How many people contributed their work so that we could comfortably hold a hot drink or safely carry away a meal?The value of a sheet of paperis also found in the everyday life it supports.Paper has recorded China’s history. Today, paper packaging made in China is becoming part of everyday life around the world. From recording and communicating to wrapping, containing, and protecting, paper’s connection with life continues to grow.Some Chinese manufacturers of paper foodservice products already count Europe and Oceania among their main export markets. Paper crosses borders to serve different cuisines and ways of life. Base paper, functional materials, coating, printing, forming, equipment, and supply chain capabilities all contribute to making these international deliveries possible.Research reference: International Business Daily, a report on exports of paper foodservice products.Behind Every Sheet of Paper That Reaches the World Is the Expertise of an Entire Value ChainThat expertise must ultimately meet specific needs in use.Hot-drink cups need secure bottoms and side seams; cold-drink cups must withstand condensation. Wrapping paper must cope with moisture, grease, and folding, while food containers must be suitable for forming, holding food, and transport. Different foods, usage patterns, and waste management systems create further requirements across markets.Base paper stiffness affects forming, while absorbency affects coating. The functional layer needs to provide a barrier and work with printing, folding, and sealing. Equipment, testing, and quality management connect these stages, turning a product concept into something that can be manufactured repeatedly and supplied consistently.For those in the industry, the challenge is often getting it right every time: a new paper batch must still run well on the production line; larger orders must retain the same quality; and a new application requires established experience to be validated again.When these details are handled well, users rarely notice them. A cup that feels right in the hand, dependable packaging, and food that arrives in good condition simply become an expected part of daily life.Manufacturers turn complex materials and processes into everyday products people can use with confidence.The value of the supply chain lies beyond the quoted price per tonne of paper. It is also found in products that work well for customers and deliveries they can rely on. These tangible outcomes give professional expertise its meaning.Scale helps products reach distant markets;expertise gives customers a reason to keep choosing them.In global markets, customer choices come down to specific requirements: Does the packaging suit local foods? Does the process fit the customer’s production line? Can quality remain consistent? Is the total cost acceptable? Regulations, food-contact requirements, logistics conditions, and end-of-life practices in each market must also inform research, development, and production.By drawing on their strengths in paper grades, equipment, and processes, developing a thorough understanding of a specific application, and working with local partners, manufacturers can turn Chinese manufacturing expertise into the products and solutions customers need.Every problem carefully resolved and every delivery that fulfills a promise builds trust for long-term collaboration. When customers keep choosing a supplier and partners can grow together, the capabilities of the value chain continue to create value in wider markets.China’s National Day invites us to reflect on the past and recognize what people are creating today. For the paper industry, that pride can be tangible: an improvement made in a Chinese workshop eases processing challenges at another factory; a solution developed by a Chinese team gives a customer far away a better choice of product.This is how expertise connects China with the world.This is also the direction BIOTEN Packaging hopes to pursue with its partners: connecting base paper, functional materials, and coating and converting capabilities; developing products around real applications; continuing to explore efficient material use and pathways for paper fiber recovery and reuse; and competing through quality in global markets.Bring paper mills’ strengths into specific applications. Turn coaters’ and converters’ expertise into products. Deliver improvements that brands and users can experience. By deepening our individual strengths and making jointly developed products dependable, we can turn expertise into trust across borders.Paper has recorded China’s history;what China creates is becoming part of everyday life around the world.This National Day, BIOTEN Packaging salutes every industry partner dedicated to making good paper and dependable products, and everyone whose expertise and patience help Chinese manufacturing reach wider markets.May every journey bring good moments, and may a welcoming light await every return home.And may the dedicated work connecting China with the world receive the recognition it deserves.Research NoteThis article was independently researched and written by BIOTEN Packaging using historical newspaper pages, museum materials, public reporting on named companies, and application information, with verification current as of September 30, 2026. It is provided for industry research and learning and should not be used as the basis for business decisions. For corrections, clarification, or removal requests, please contact us through this WeChat official account. We will review and address requests within 24 hours of receipt.BIOTEN Insights: Data and Verification SourcesCPPCC Daily / People.cn: “The Founding Ceremony of the People’s Republic of China in a People’s Daily Special Edition”China Modern and Contemporary Press and Publication Museum: “Imprints of Glory: Memories of an Era in Newspapers—a Tribute to National Day”International Business Daily / Zhejiang Economic Information Center: “Going Green: Foreign Trade Enterprises Build New Competitive Advantages”DBC / BIOTEN Packaging: Bioten Plus balanced-grade solutions for paper-based packagingRead Original",
            "date_published": "2026-10-01T00:00:00+08:00",
            "date_modified": "2026-10-01T00:00:00+08:00",
            "language": "en",
            "tags": [
                "Industry Insights"
            ],
            "image": "/docs/assets/images/news/news-2026-10-01-national-day-china-paper-global-life/cms-image-f27fba6b0e630992.jpg"
        },
        {
            "id": "/EN/news-2026-09-29-bioten-pha-matte-barrier-paper-feel.html",
            "url": "/EN/news-2026-09-29-bioten-pha-matte-barrier-paper-feel.html",
            "title": "Matte Barriers, Natural Paper Feel: BIOTEN PHA’s Long-Term Competitive Strength",
            "summary": "How BIOTEN PHA creates value and empowers industry partners",
            "content_text": "How BIOTEN PHA creates value and helps industry partners build lasting competitiveness in global markets through more sustainable technologyThe next step in value for paper cups is to hold hot drinks, retain the natural character of paper, and keep suitable end-of-life options open.After a BIOTEN PHA water-based emulsion is applied and dried, the functional layer provides water and grease resistance while the paper surface retains a natural matte finish and visible fiber texture. This is what BIOTEN calls a matte barrier: combining the feel of paper with barrier performance on the same coated surface. The barrier remains; the film-like feel recedes.This paper feel can also help distinguish a brand’s packaging. The natural matte finish of a coffee cup, the fiber texture of a food container, and the warm touch of a paper bag allow the material itself to express the brand. Alongside color, graphics, and structural design, paper adds a distinctive quality that people can see and feel.PE extrusion coating has provided a reliable foundation for paper-based foodservice packaging at scale. Today, brands also want a distinctive texture, consistent supply, and a clear route for handling packaging after use. BIOTEN’s development work addresses these needs together.Paper Feel and Barrier Performance, TogetherPaper is porous. Coating pinholes, exposed cut edges, and creases can also allow water and oil to penetrate. A BIOTEN PHA water-based emulsion needs to form a continuous barrier layer after coating and drying. Base paper absorbency, coat weight, and drying conditions also affect how much fiber texture remains visible and how the surface feels. Too little coating may compromise the barrier; simply adding more can increase cost, drying demand, and a film-like feel.BIOTEN therefore designs for a matte paper feel, water and grease resistance, and heat sealing together, from material selection through coating process development. Whether customers currently use PE or PLA extrusion coatings, or EAA or acrylic water-based coatings, they can compare finished products intended for the same use: Is the paper texture visible? Does the surface feel like a film? Can resistance to hot liquids and grease, barrier performance after folding, and seal integrity all meet the required specifications? BIOTEN aims to make its difference visible in the paper feel and tangible in the reliable performance of the same finished product.Paper cups must withstand contact with hot liquids and maintain integrity at the bottom and side seam. Food containers must resist grease, particularly along creases. Paper bags require attention to folds, abrasion, and brief splashes. These applications can share a material platform, but each needs a suitable process. Paper keeps its own character while gaining the ability to meet more packaging needs.For papermakers, coaters, and converters, the opportunity lies in turning these requirements into product specifications they can consistently deliver: a uniform surface appearance, dependable barriers and seals, and controlled yields and costs. Building these capabilities over time can create application-specific expertise and give customers reasons to choose a supplier beyond price per tonne.Research references: BIOTEN Plus natural matte application concept; research on water and grease resistance in water-based coatings.Performance Today, Options After UsePackaging value also extends to safe use and end-of-life management. BIOTEN develops formulations with no intentionally added PFAS. For food packaging, the finished product needs appropriate food-contact documentation based on the food type, contact conditions, and target market. These are fundamental considerations when brands assess a material solution.DBC has reported repulping rates of up to 97% for relevant PHA-coated paper products, indicating potential worth further developing for paper fiber recovery. Individual projects still need retesting by paper mills using actual paper samples. Specified BIOTEN PHA coatings are listed as components in BPI’s home-compostable product directory, providing a material basis for developing packaging suited to composting. Recycling is an important direction; composting is another option where the application and treatment conditions are appropriate. Paper cups, boxes, and bags each need evidence for their complete finished structure.Reduce Material at Source, Recover Resources After Use, and Consider Biodegradation Where Appropriate.Material use should be optimized while meeting functional requirements. A suitable recycling or composting route should then be selected according to the product and the local treatment system. Every option needs to be matched to the actual finished product.Research references: BIOTEN product FAQs; DBC’s repulping disclosure; BPI’s listings for BIOTEN coatings.Value Beyond TodayThe EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is being applied in phases, with requirements covering packaging reduction, substances of concern, and design for recycling. California also requires covered single-use packaging to be recyclable or compostable by 2032. These developments encourage brands to assess packaging as a whole: Does it perform in use? Can it be produced consistently? Is there an appropriate route for handling it after use?BIOTEN PHA’s value also begins with its feedstock. Compared with an equivalent fossil-based formulation, verified bio-based content can replace a portion of the fossil-derived raw materials. This substitution can be valuable even at the same total coat weight. If dry coat weight can also be reduced while meeting equivalent barrier and heat-sealing targets, the two benefits can be combined. Using less material and reducing dependence on fossil-derived feedstocks are two development directions that can advance together.When paper feel, functional performance, feedstock sourcing, and verified end-of-life pathways work together in one product, customers have a more complete set of reasons to choose it.As applications expand and fermentation and processing continue to improve, BIOTEN PHA has the potential to reduce unit costs and strengthen its long-term price competitiveness. As customers extend from paper cups into food containers, wrapping paper, and other products, the ability to keep matching base papers, processing conditions, and target markets can create further value in the partnership. Long-term competitiveness comes from delivering good products today and sustaining the ability to improve them.Research references: EU packaging regulation guidance; bio-based materials and fossil feedstock substitution; research on PHA processes and costs; California packaging rules.From Paper Samples to Long-Term SourcingDBC works with BASF, PhaBuilder, and partners in papermaking, coating, and converting to turn material capabilities into packaging that can be delivered reliably. Base paper absorbency and stiffness, coating film formation and surface appearance, and folding and sealing during conversion all need to work together in the same product.Collaboration can begin with a paper sample currently in use, an actual food application, and a clear product target. Compare paper feel, barrier performance, and heat sealing; validate line speed and production yield; then calculate the total cost per 1,000 conforming packaging items. This allows paper mills to contribute their base paper expertise, coaters and converters to build application capabilities, and brands to obtain products they can source consistently over time.Customers keep choosing products that offer a visible difference, perform reliably, and deliver the same quality in volume production.BIOTEN hopes to work with partners to turn distinctive paper feel into dependable products, making material innovation a source of value that customers can see and use.Let Paper Feel Like Paper—and Do More.BIOTEN PHA Water-Based Emulsions: Barrier Performance with the Feel of Paper.Research references: DBC’s disclosures on collaboration across the paper-based packaging value chain.Research NoteThis article was compiled by BIOTEN Packaging from public product information, research literature, and certification directories, with verification current as of September 28, 2026. It is provided for industry research and learning and does not constitute a purchasing recommendation or a performance guarantee. Suitability depends on the paper, coating structure, intended use, and valid supporting documents. For corrections, clarification, or removal requests, please contact us through this WeChat official account. We will review and respond within 24 hours of receiving the request.BIOTEN Insights: Data and Verification SourcesDBC: BIOTEN Plus natural matte application concept; BIOTEN product FAQsBPI: BIOTEN coating listings; DBC: repulping disclosureEuropean Union: PPWR legal text; PPWR implementation guidance; guidance on single-use plastic productsCalRecycle: packaging extended producer responsibility rules; DBC: value chain collaboration disclosuresRead Original",
            "date_published": "2026-09-29T00:00:00+08:00",
            "date_modified": "2026-09-29T00:00:00+08:00",
            "language": "en",
            "tags": [
                "Industry Insights"
            ],
            "image": "/docs/assets/images/news/news-2026-09-29-bioten-pha-matte-barrier-paper-feel/cms-image-d2ba6555f096a882.jpg"
        },
        {
            "id": "/EN/news-2026-09-25-dbc-bioten-mid-autumn-introduction.html",
            "url": "/EN/news-2026-09-25-dbc-bioten-mid-autumn-introduction.html",
            "title": "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival | Discover the Full Scope of BIOTEN at DBC",
            "summary": "We develop new applications for the future and help our partners make decisions that strengthen their competitiveness. May every effort bear fruit.",
            "content_text": "The full moon is a sight we share as we look up together. Everyday life, in turn, is sustained by countless people quietly giving their best. DBC wishes you and your family a happy Mid-Autumn Festival, a joyful reunion and good health. May every effort bear fruit.Many new friends first discover DBC through BIOTEN Packaging. For more than a decade, DBC has focused on new materials research and development and application innovation. Building on this experience, BIOTEN has developed bio-based functional waterborne emulsions, with a related patent strategy spanning more than 100 inventions.Starting with a single paper cup, we aim to help advance more sustainable paper-based packaging worldwide. BIOTEN Packaging develops bio-based waterborne coatings for food packaging such as paper cups, boxes and bags.DBC’s years of technical and product development also extend to seed coatings and fertilizer coatings in agriculture; emulsion paints and wood coatings in bio-based coatings; and body washes, facial cleansers and sunscreens in personal care.Four fields share one purpose: turning new materials produced through biomanufacturing into products people can use in everyday life. We develop new applications for the future and help our partners make decisions that strengthen their competitiveness.Read Original",
            "date_published": "2026-09-25T00:00:00+08:00",
            "date_modified": "2026-09-25T00:00:00+08:00",
            "language": "en",
            "tags": [
                "Company News"
            ],
            "image": "/docs/assets/images/news/news-2026-09-25-dbc-bioten-mid-autumn-introduction/cms-image-b47242de7dc61e53.jpg"
        }
    ]
}