Driving sustainable innovation: designing paper recyclable solutions for dry pet food packaging

The global pet food market is booming with an estimated market size of USD 120 billion in 2023, projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% through 2030, driven by increasing pet ownership and demand for high-quality, nutritious pet food.

U.S. alone, over 65% of households own pets, fueling demand for premium pet food options. As the market evolves, so does the call for cutting-edge packaging solutions that deliver both top-tier performance and a more sustainable design. At the forefront of this transformation is the development of dry pet food packaging, where the balance between protection, sustainability, customization, and outstanding shelf appearance plays a critical role. 

As pet owners seek greener choices, packaging solutions must not only protect product quality but also meet ambitious sustainability goals. Packaging waste is a significant environmental issue, with flexible plastic packaging accounting for nearly 40% of pet food packaging but offering limited recyclability options. The dry pet food segment presents unique challenges due to the need to maintain the freshness and quality of the product while ensuring it withstands various environmental conditions, such as humidity, transportation stress, and the risk of contamination. 

Key Requirements for Dry Pet Food Packaging 

To stand out and meet industry demands, packaging solutions for dry pet food must excel in protection, sustainability, and customization. 

Protection & Preservation 

• Packaging should prevent moisture from affecting product freshness, keeping external odors out and retaining food aromas inside. 
• It must offer robust resistance to fats and oils, preventing these substances from seeping through and compromising the package itself. 
• Additionally, packaging needs to offer robust protection during handling and transport to maintain product integrity. 

Sustainability & Safety 

• With the rising focus on sustainable packaging, paper- based solutions are critical. 
• The transition from traditional multi-layer plastics to PFAS-free paper solutions is crucial in reducing environmental impact, aligning with new regulations like the PPWR, which focuses on recyclability at the end of a product’s life. 

Branding & Customization 

As part of the competitive landscape, packaging solutions must offer options for branding, printing, and clear product labeling. Flexible design is key, accommodating various bag structures and sizes, from small pet food packages to bulk solutions. 

Sustainability in Pet Food Packaging 

When comparing paper solutions to flexible plastic packaging, it becomes clear that paper offers significant advantages. Polypropylene (PP) is difficult and expensive to process, particularly at food-grade levels, making paper a more sustainable and efficient alternative. 

"Sustainable co-innovation is essential in today's packaging development," explains Rafael Yamamoto, R&D Global Manager. "By working collaboratively with our partners across the value chain, we can create packaging solutions that not only meet performance needs but also align with the environmental goals of our customers and end consumers." 
“Our R&D team is conducting specific Petfood testing to ensure that our materials not only perform to the highest standards but also comply with emerging environmental regulations like PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation)”.  These tests are key to our product development process and are designed to push the boundaries of current market offerings. 

By working closely with brand owners, converters and suppliers and institutions, the industry can develop solutions that meet the demands of consumers and regulators alike. Collaborative R&D allows us to test and perfect these solutions through various tests, such as grease resistance, capillarity, and drop tests, ensuring they perform under real-world conditions. 

PawPrint®: the future of dry pet food packaging 

The development of PFAS-free pet food packaging comes with big challenges, particularly in achieving superior grease resistance while maintaining an effective Moisture Vapor barrier. 

Our mission is to serve both the American and European markets by eliminating harmful fluorochemicals and reducing the use of oriented polypropylene (OPP), all while ensuring the packaging remains fully recyclable and cost-effective. 

Backed by deep expertise in material science and packaging innovation, we’re pushing boundaries utilizing advanced coatings, multi-layered paper structures, and cutting-edge barrier technologies, with the result to create a PFAS free packaging solution that offers excellent grease resistance without compromising recyclability. Our commitment to replacing OPP with sustainable alternatives drives us to push the limits of conventional packaging solutions. Through rigorous testing and continuous improvement, we are developing packaging that meets the high standards of the pet food industry—delivering optimal product protection, environmental sustainability, and cost efficiency. 

Our flagship solution, PawPrint®, represents the elevation of sustainable innovation in dry pet food packaging. This eco-friendly paper range combines functionality and visual appeal, offering superior grease resistance without the use of harmful PFAS chemicals. 
PawPrint® delivers a tailored, fully recyclable packaging solution that meets the needs of modern pet food manufacturers. 
In addition to superior performance in protection and durability, our PawPrint® packaging offers exceptional print quality that stands out against traditional paper alternatives. The Printability Test ensures that the paper’s smoothness, ink absorption, and roughness are optimized for high-quality printing.

The result is a natural effect print that delivers vibrant, visually appealing designs while maintaining a high-end, organic look. 

Key features of PawPrint®

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