See why fibre-based packaging is gaining momentum- and how Sappi is leading the transition.
At FACHPACK 2025, the message was clear: the move from plastic to paper is no longer a future trend, it’s happening now. Converters and brand owners, all recognised that paper-based packaging is scaling, and Sappi is at the forefront with functional papers that combine recyclability, performance, and cost efficiency.
Paper solutions gaining ground
Visitors saw a wave of new fibre-based packaging options at FACHPACK, from high-barrier chocolate wraps to mono-material solutions for dry foods. The consensus was that paper packaging has become versatile, scalable, and ready for mainstream adoption.
The future of packaging depends on performance and cost. Our barrier papers are designed with that future in mind. They are recyclable by design, efficient in production, and built to protect what matters.
said Filip Van Ranst, Sales Director Specialty Papers
By expanding its Guard Pro and Guard ranges, Sappi is providing options that customers can trust today, without waiting for future technologies or unproven solutions.
Customers embracing the change
Feedback at the fair confirmed the shift: brand owners preparing for PPWR see fibre-based solutions as the most reliable way forward.
“The response to our papers shows a clear shift,” said Kerstin Dietze, Key Account Manager for Packaging Solutions. “Brand owners now see fibre-based packaging as a proven path forward, and Sappi is leading that transition.”
As the move from plastic to paper continues to accelerate, driven by regulation, consumer expectations, and innovation – and with high-barrier and fit-for-purpose papers already in the market – Sappi is well positioned to guide customers through the transition.
To Jörg Waldorf, Head of Sales Wet Glue Labels, the shift is also about credibility:
Sustainability has moved upstream in the value chain. It’s no longer just a consumer slogan — regulations like EUDR and PPWR are forcing real change, and solutions like Sappi’s fibre-based packaging give brand owners a path they can trust.
Collaboration across the industry
Another clear takeaway from FACHPACK was that no company can tackle the sustainability shift alone. Regulation, consumer expectations, and cost pressures affect the entire value chain, from raw material suppliers to converters, printers, and brand owners. This makes partnerships more important than ever.
Across the show floor, companies spoke about the need for shared innovation and alignment on recyclability standards, so fibre-based packaging can scale faster and more reliably. Collaboration is no longer optional; it is becoming a defining feature of progress.
“The common denominator is that the industry is sticking together,” said Filip Van Ranst, Sales Director, Specialty Papers. “We are all facing the same challenges, and that unity is what will drive the next generation of fibre-based packaging solutions at the right cost level. The more successful every fibre player is, the stronger the industry becomes. Collaboration is what will make fibre-based packaging a lasting success.” fibre-based packaging as a proven path forward, and Sappi is leading that transition.”
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