BIOTEN™ KNOWLEDGE CENTER

Knowledge center

STANDARD & KNOWLEDGE

Organize the key judgments of paper-based barrier projects based on material objects, test methods, target markets and evidence scope.

Enter materials and evidence from application scenarios.

Paper-based packaging projects need to simultaneously define product form, material structure, usage conditions, target market and external statements. Different combinations correspond to different standard methods, sample forms, test items and documentation requirements.

01

Confirm product form

Clarify product forms such as paper cups, paper bowls, lunch boxes, paper bags, coated paper, paper-based soft packages, pulp molding or labeling auxiliary materials, and determine sample boundaries and usage scenarios.

02

Disassemble the material structure

Identify the base paper, functional coating, lamination, ink, adhesive, heat sealing layer and external accessories, and clarify the contact surface, functional layer and material composition information.

03

Clarify the conditions of use

Record food contact attributes, time and temperature, greasy or acidic foods, freezing or heating conditions, heat seal molding and actual use requirements after printing.

04

Target market

Determine applicable regulatory paths, testing items, document languages and data communication methods according to China, EU, United States, Australia, New Zealand and brand customer standards.

05

Match detection items

Select items such as water-blocking, oil-proof, moisture-blocking, oxygen-blocking, heat-sealing, fold-resistant, repulpable, compostable, food contact, and PFAS concern by use and claim boundaries.

06

Organize project information

Integrate TDS, SDS, test reports, certificates, DoC, supplier statements, version information and usage conditions to form a project data system that facilitates communication.

Key knowledge for paper-based packaging projects.

The catalog is divided into eight topics according to the project decision-making process: material structure, performance testing, food contact, source traceability, recycling disposal, compost degradation, and EU policy and declaration boundaries. Each topic can be further expanded into independent knowledge pages.

Materials and Structure

Paper-based barrier material

Explain the structural relationship between base paper, coating, lamination, PHA water-based barrier, heat sealing layer, printing ink and adhesive.

View PHA waterborne barrier coating entry
Performance and testing

Water-proof, oil-proof, moisture-proof, oxygen-proof

Covers indicators such as Cobb, Kit, WVTR, OTR, heat sealing, folding resistance, cup body/cup bottom molding and mass production stability.

entry barrier standards
food contact

FCM and migration testing

Establish a basis for communication around contact surfaces, material composition, food simulants, time and temperature conditions, migration testing, DoC and supplier documentation.

View food contact material compliance entries
Source and low carbon

Forest sources, LCA and carbon footprint

Sort out the information boundaries of FSC/PEFC, EUDR, mass balance, LCA, carbon footprint and brand-side low-carbon claims.

View related entries
recycling disposal

Recyclable, repulpable and accepted by paper mills

Distinguish between technical repulpability, local recycling systems, mill sorting acceptance, contamination control and external recycling markings.

Enter recycling and disposal
Compost degradation

Compostable, biodegradable and environmental conditions

Distinguish between industrial composting, household composting, soil/marine degradation, material testing and finished product certification, and the scope of application of the control statement.

View the paper-based packaging compost statement entry
EU policy

PPWR、SUPD、EPR、REACH

Understand the applicable requirements in the European market from the perspectives of packaging regulations, single-use plastics, producer responsibility, chemical management and brand requirements.

Enter the compliance map
declare boundaries

Plastic-free, low-plastic, PFAS and green statement

Transform environmental statements into communicable expressions and clarify test calibers, applicable markets, disposal conditions and explanation boundaries.

View related entries

Terminology, methods and application boundaries.

Entries are organized around term definitions, applicable scenarios, key indicators and data directions to help users systematically understand the core concepts, application boundaries and communication points in paper-based barrier packaging projects.

16 core terms
MaterialA01

PHA bio-based water-based barrier coating

The direction of the functional coating applied to the surface of paper-based materials can be matched with materials and processes based on goals such as water-blocking, oil-proof, heat-sealing, repulpability or compostability.

  • Applicable to: paper-based barrier layer, heat sealing layer or functional layer design.
  • Information: Material information, conditions of use, food contact and end-of-life disposal routes.
View technology platform
DetectionB01

Cobb value

An indicator to evaluate the amount of water absorbed by paper or cardboard under specified time and area conditions. It is a basic item in communicating the water-blocking performance of paper cups, paper bowls, lunch boxes, etc.

  • Applicable: water blocking performance comparison and material screening.
  • Information: test time, face type, sample status and pretreatment conditions.
entry barrier standards
DetectionB02

Kit oil-proof grade

It evaluates the resistance of paper or cardboard surfaces to oil penetration and is often used in the preliminary evaluation of food paper bags, hamburger paper, lunch box lining paper and oil-proof packaging.

  • Applicable: Screening of oil-proof packaging solutions.
  • Information: Grade results, test conditions, food type and temperature time conditions.
entry barrier standards
DetectionB03

WVTR water vapor transmission rate

Evaluate the material's ability to block water vapor migration, suitable for paper-based packaging that needs to control moisture absorption, moisture return, caking or shelf life.

  • Applicable: powder, dry goods, condiments and composite paper packaging.
  • Information: temperature and humidity conditions, thickness, coating amount and structural level.
entry barrier standards
DetectionB04

OTR oxygen transmission rate

Evaluate the rate of oxygen passing through packaging materials. It is often used for oxygen-sensitive foods, powders, greases, or paper-based composite structures that require shelf life management.

  • Applicable to: packaging structures with clear oxygen barrier requirements.
  • Information: Test temperature and humidity, sample structure and performance changes under high humidity conditions.
entry barrier standards
CraftsmanshipB05

Heat seal strength

Evaluate the ability of a coating or composite structure to form a seal after hot pressing, relevant to paper cup bottoms, paper bowl side seams, lunch box seals and liquid leakage concerns.

  • Applicable: cups, bowls, lunch boxes, sealing paper-based structures.
  • Data: temperature, pressure, time, equipment conditions and test records.
Apply for paper sample test
ComplianceC01

Food contact materials FCM

All materials and products that may come into direct or indirect contact with food need to establish suitability judgments around safety, inertness, migration, labeling and document delivery.

  • Applicable: food packaging and related contact materials.
  • Materials: Regulatory pathways, exposure conditions, migration testing, DoC and restrictions.
Enter the compliance map
ComplianceC02

Migration testing

Evaluating the migration of substances in packaging materials to food through food simulants, contact time and temperature conditions is an important reference for food contact suitability assessment.

  • Applicable: direct or indirect food contact scenarios.
  • Data: simulant, time and temperature, sample status and detection limits.
View compliance reports
ComplianceC03

PFAS compliance concerns

PFAS-related requirements are an important concern in paper-based oil-proof, waterproof and food-contact packaging, which usually require a comprehensive assessment based on material declarations, third-party testing and target market requirements.

  • Applicable: Oil-proof, waterproof and food contact paper-based packaging.
  • Materials: material declarations, supplier documents, test reports and target market requirements.
Enter the compliance map
sourceD01

EUDR source compliance

When facing the EU market, wood pulp, paper and paperboard-related supply chains need to pay attention to source legality, non-deforestation requirements, traceability information and due diligence documents.

  • Applicable: EU market and source information communication.
  • Materials: CoC, purchasing records, geographic information, supplier declarations and traceability information.
Enter the compliance map
regulationsD02

PPWR EU Packaging Regulation

EU packaging regulation involves packaging reduction, recyclability, reuse, labelling, producer responsibility and parallel assessment with other EU requirements.

  • Applicable to: EU sales, brand purchasing and packaging compliance communication.
  • Information: product structure, material properties, market path and basis for claims.
Enter the compliance map
regulationsD03

SUPD single use plastic borders

Involving the EU single-use plastic product border. Paper-based products containing plastic coatings, plastic parts or plastic-free/low-plastic statements need to be further confirmed in conjunction with the rules of the target market.

  • Applicable to: EU market, disposable food packaging and environmental claims.
  • Information: Polymer properties, product structure, regulatory application notes and certification scope.
Enter the compliance map
loopE01

Respulpability

Evaluating the fiber recovery performance of paper-based materials during pulping, screening and reforming into paper usually focuses on fiber yield, screening residue, stickiness and finished paper appearance.

  • Applicable: Paper-based coating, lamination and composite structures.
  • Information: test method, sample structure, screen reject ratio and paper mill acceptance conditions.
Enter recycling and disposal
DisposeE02

Compostable statement

Compostability claims should distinguish between industrial composting, household composting and natural environmental degradation, and confirm whether the assessment is made of a single material, semi-finished product or final product.

  • Applicable to: packaged products with clear compost disposal path.
  • Information: Biodegradation, disintegration, chemical characterization, ecotoxicity and finished product certification.
Enter recycling and disposal
StatementF01

Plastic-free and low-plastic statement

Plastic-free, low-plastic, bio-based and water-based belong to different expression dimensions and need to correspond to material definitions, certification standards, regulatory application instructions and target market requirements respectively.

  • Applicable to: external communication, packaging labeling and brand procurement.
  • Materials: Material properties, polymer definitions, certification scope and description boundaries.
Enter the compliance map
FileF02

DoC Compliance Statement

DoC is used to convey to downstream statements that products comply with regulatory or standard requirements. It usually requires the support of material information, test results, conditions of use and version management.

  • Applicable: food contact, EU market and project information communication.
  • Information: Applicable regulations, test results, use restrictions, versions and issuing entities.
View TDS/SDS

Enter the knowledge path by project role.

Brand/ESG

Statement communication

Focus on low-carbon, plastic-free, recyclable, compostable and PFAS-related expressions to help confirm the testing, certification and data support required for external claims.

  • Recommended: Declaration Boundaries, Circular Dispositions, Compliance Maps.
  • Output: Green statement direction and information list.
Packaging factory/paper factory

Mass production adaptation

Focus on manufacturing conditions such as coating amount, drying, heat sealing, cup machine speed, printing adaptation, cup bottom glue, winding and batch stability.

  • Recommended: Barrier standards, heat seal strength, finished product verification.
  • Output: test machine records and mass production boundaries.
Procurement/Compliance

Data preparation

Focus on TDS, SDS, material declaration, food contact information, test reports, version updates and certificate validity.

  • Recommended: DoC, FCM, PFAS, EUDR.
  • Output: Project data preparation direction.
R&D/Products

Indicator conversion

Convert application requirements into verifiable indicators to avoid replacing the verification of finished product structure, processing technology and usage conditions with a single value.

  • Recommended: Cobb, Kit, WVTR, OTR, heat seal.
  • Output: sample specifications and inspection plan.

Eight types of data support project evaluation and communication.

Paper-based packaging projects usually require a comprehensive assessment combining information such as material source, food contact, performance testing, applicable regulations, recycling disposal and statement expression. The following eight types of information can be used as a basic reference for project communication and program judgment.

01 Source information

Describe base paper, wood pulp, fiber and key raw material sources, supplementing CoC, procurement records, forest sources and due diligence documents where necessary.

  • Focus on: FSC/PEFC, EUDR, supply chain traceability.

02 Food contact information

Describe contact surfaces, conditions of use, material composition, migration testing, DoC and limitations to support judgments of suitability for food contact.

  • Pay attention to: GB 4806, EU FCM, FDA pathways.

03 Performance test information

Water resistance, oil resistance, moisture resistance, oxygen resistance, heat sealing, folding resistance and molding tests should correspond to the target product, processing technology and actual use conditions.

  • Follow: Cobb, Kit, WVTR, OTR, Heat Seal.

04 Policy applicable information

When exporting to Europe, packaging regulations, single-use plastics, producer responsibility, chemical management and branding requirements often need to be understood in parallel.

  • Focus on: PPWR, SUPD, EPR, REACH.

05 Recycling information

Repulpability reporting, fiber yield, rejects, stickies and mill acceptance conditions all influence the scope of applicability of the recyclability expression.

  • Attention: Differences between technical repulpability and local recycling systems.

06 Compost information

Compostability claims should differentiate between industrial composting, home composting and natural environmental degradation and confirm whether the finished structure is suitable for use.

  • Pay attention to: EN 13432, ISO 18606, finished product certification.

07 Statement expressing information

Expressions such as plastic-free, low-plastic, low-carbon, degradable and recyclable need to clarify the test caliber, applicable market, use restrictions and disposal conditions.

  • Focus on: external expression, explanation of boundaries, and applicable conditions.

08 Document information

Summarize TDS, SDS, test reports, certificates, DoC, supplier statements and version information to form the direction of project data preparation.

  • Pay attention to: version, validity period, sample consistency, and data updates.

Frequently asked questions: High-frequency judgment in project communication.

Are water-based coatings equivalent to plastic-free materials?

They cannot be simply equated. Water-based describes the processing system or dispersion medium. Whether it is a plastic needs to be comprehensively judged based on polymer properties, regulatory definitions, certification standards and target market requirements.

Does biobased equal degradable or compostable?

Cannot be directly equated. Biobased describes the source of raw materials, and degradable or compostable describes end-of-life disposal performance. Both types of claims usually require comprehensive judgment based on test methods and disposal conditions.

Does repulpable reporting equate to local recycling?

Cannot be directly equated. Respulpability is a technical test result, and local recyclability also depends on the collection system, sorting capabilities, paper mill acceptance conditions and pollution control.

Can food contact testing cover all compliance requirements?

It usually requires further confirmation based on the product structure and usage conditions. Food contact testing is used for safety and migration evaluation, but also requires attention to barrier properties, heat sealing mass production, recycling disposal, source traceability and statement expression.

Can the same report cover multiple products?

Need to be evaluated based on product differences. Report coverage should be reviewed when there are changes to the base paper, coating, coating volume, printing, adhesive, molding process, and usage conditions.

How can green statements be expressed more securely?

It is recommended to use verifiable and conditional statements, such as clarifying test conditions, applicable uses, target markets and disposal conditions, to avoid absolutes, generalizations or cross-market application.

Standards and regulatory reference ranges.

The following are common standards, regulations and data preparation directions for paper-based packaging projects. Specific projects should be based on the current regulations of the target market, customer requirements, certification agencies and third-party testing agencies’ final conclusions.

food contactGB 4806 series, Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006, FDA 21 CFR related paths.
EU packaging policyPPWR, SUPD, EPR, REACH and brand requirements need to be confirmed one by one by product and market.
Source and traceabilityFSC/PEFC, EUDR, supplier CoC, procurement records, due diligence and traceability documents.
Barrier and processCobb, Kit, WVTR, OTR, heat sealing, folding resistance, molding, cup bottom glue and mass production test machine records.
Recycling and repulpingRespulpability testing, mill acceptance rules, local recycling systems, screen rejects, fiber yield and stickiness concerns.
Composting and DegradationEN 13432, ISO 18606, industrial composting/home composting certification and finished product structural suitability.
NEXT STEP

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