Siegwerk Heads to Specialty Papers Europe 2025

Siegwerk Druckfarben AG & Co. KGaA announces its participation in Specialty Papers Europe 2025, Sept. 3-4 in Prague. Marking its third consecutive year at the event, Siegwerk continues to demonstrate its dedication to advancing sustainable packaging solutions.

During this year’s conference, Siegwerk will present its expanding portfolio of water-based coatings, specifically developed for fiber-based packaging applications. These customizable solutions are designed to address the distinct needs of printers, coaters, and paper manufacturers.

“As interest in circular fiber-based packaging continues to grow, it is essential that we innovate to meet customer requirements and emerging market trends,” says Lothar Schaeffeler, head of technology for Circular Economy Coatings at Siegwerk. “Our coatings are pivotal in facilitating both the adoption of ‘paperization’ and the enhancement of existing packaging formats, thereby supporting the transition towards more sustainable packaging solutions.”

Phasing Out PFAS

A central theme of Siegwerk’s presentation will focus on the critical need to phase out perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from packaging applications. Given PFAS’s health risks, environmental impact, and tightening regulations – especially in food-contact materials – Siegwerk stresses that PFAS can no longer be considered a viable solution for barrier properties in packaging papers.

The company will also address the importance of developing effective testing methods to evaluate oil and grease resistance. While no direct one-to-one replacement for PFAS currently exists, Siegwerk will introduce several promising alternatives that align with both performance and sustainability objectives.

Highlighting Siegwerk’s commitment to this issue, Oliver Waddington, global lead for functional paper coatings at Siegwerk, will deliver a keynote speech titled “Alternatives to PFAS in Fiber-Based Packaging” on the first day of the summit.

“Our expanding market presence inspires us to pursue even greater challenges,” says Waddington. “Siegwerk’s recent acquisition of Allinova represents a significant milestone, enhancing our ability to serve customers with proven solutions while boosting our capacity to innovate advanced, sustainable coatings.”

Allinova, a Netherlands-based specialist in water-based dispersions, brings a well-established portfolio – including polymer dispersions, wax emulsions, and adhesives – that complements Siegwerk’s offerings and strengthens its foothold in the functional coatings sector.

“Specialty Papers Europe is an outstanding platform that unites customers and value chain partners to collaborate and share insights,” adds Waddington. “We look forward to engaging with our customers and the broader community while demonstrating how Siegwerk is shaping the future of sustainable packaging.”