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Plastic-coated paper


Plastic-coated paper is a coated or laminated composite material made of paper or paperboard with a plastic layer or treatment on a surface. This type of coated paper is most used in the food and drink packaging industry.

The plastic is used to improve functions such as water resistance, tear strength, abrasion resistance, ability to be heat sealed, etc.

Notable manufacturers of plastic-coated paper - based products are e.g.:

Most pulp and paper companies will also be producers of laminated paper and final products:

Most plastic coatings in the packaging industry are polyethylene (LDPE) and to a much lesser degree PET. Shelf-stable cartons typically contain 74% paper, 22% plastic and 4% aluminum. Frozen food cartons are usually made up of a 80% paper and 20% plastic combination.

The most notable applications for plastic-coated paper are single use (disposable food packaging):

Plastic coatings or layers usually make paper recycling more difficult. Some plastic laminations can be separated from the during the paper recycling process, allowing filtering out the film. If the coated paper is shredded prior to recycling, the degree of separation depends on the particular process. Some plastic coatings are water dispersible to aid recycling and repulping. Special recycling processes are available to help separate plastics. Some plastic coated papers are incinerated for heat or landfilled rather than recycled.


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