the right food-packaging paper is the one that matches your product's grease, moisture and heat load, and that your supplier can document as food-contact compliant in your target market. Appearance and price come second.
What makes a paper "specialty" for food contact
Standard paper absorbs oil and water and can shed fibres or release unwanted substances. Specialty food-contact papers are engineered to control three things:
- Barrier performance: resistance to grease, oil, moisture or aroma, depending on the food.
- Strength under use: wet strength for chilled or condensing products, tear and burst strength for machine running.
- Compliance and traceability: documented conformity with the food-contact rules of the country where the pack is sold.
Where the industry is heading: PFAS-free grease resistance
Grease-proof paper was long treated with fluorinated chemicals (PFAS). That is changing. In the US, the FDA tracked PFAS use in food packaging and noted voluntary phase-outs by manufacturers, and in 2021 it reminded industry that only one fluorinated polyethylene made under 21 CFR 177.1615 is approved for food contact (see references 1 and 2). In Europe there is no EU-wide rule specific to paper and board, so the general framework Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 applies and individual countries have acted on their own. Denmark, for example, banned PFAS in food-contact paper and board from 1 July 2020, with an exception where a functional barrier prevents migration into food (references 3 and 4).
Practical takeaway: if you export to several markets, specify PFAS-free grease resistance from the start. Some uncoated papers now deliver light to high grease resistance without PFAS and are described as FDA-compliant under 21 CFR 176.170 (reference 5). Reformulating later is far more expensive than specifying correctly now.
Matching paper type to the application
| Application | Typical paper | Key property | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burger and sandwich wrap | Oil and grease-resistant (OGR) uncoated paper | Grease hold-out, light weight | PFAS-free status, grease test result |
| Bakery and snack bags | Greaseproof or glassine-type paper | Grease and aroma barrier | Heat-seal behaviour, printability |
| Beverage bottle and can labels | Wet-strength label paper with pressure-sensitive adhesive on a release liner | Wet strength, adhesion in cold or damp conditions | Adhesive suitability for indirect food contact, liner release level |
| Cup sleeves and carriers | Coated or uncoated board | Stiffness, print quality | Whether it touches food or only the outer cup |
| Tobacco and related wrapping papers | Thin technical papers, for example plug wrap or tipping base | Consistent basis weight, controlled porosity | Local tobacco and chemical regulations |
Note: tobacco papers are covered by tobacco-product rules, not food-contact rules. Typical weights for cigarette-type papers sit around 20 to 40 gsm (reference 6).
The Targanix angle: labels, liners and technical paper
Targanix (TGX Group) describes itself as an integrated manufacturer of release materials, self-adhesive materials and specialty papers, with more than 20 years of experience and facilities in Jiangxi, Shanghai, Vietnam and Shandong. Its production includes silicone coating lines, adhesive coaters and slitting machines (reference 7). For beverage and tobacco customers, that profile is most relevant where paper meets labelling and converting: label face stock, release liners and technical papers that must run consistently on high-speed lines.
See the company's own overview for the sectors it serves on the Targanix beverages and tobacco page, or start from the Targanix homepage. If you need food-contact certificates for a specific grade, request them directly from Targanix. Certification status should be confirmed in writing, not assumed.
Tests that tell you whether a paper will perform
- Grease resistance (KIT test): rates how well the sheet resists oil penetration. Ask for the number and the method.
- Water absorption (Cobb test): measures surface water uptake, important for chilled or wet products.
- Wet tensile strength: shows whether a label or wrap survives condensation or ice-bucket conditions.
- Migration testing: an accredited lab test that checks whether substances transfer from paper to food or a food simulant.
- Total fluorine screening: a useful check to verify PFAS-free claims, since some regulations set limits on total organic fluorine.
Supplier checklist (copy this into your RFQ)
- Target markets and the exact regulations they need (for example FDA 21 CFR 176.170, Regulation (EC) 1935/2004, national PFAS rules).
- A written declaration of PFAS-free status, ideally with a test report.
- Basis weight tolerance, grease and moisture values, and wet strength data.
- Fibre-source chain-of-custody certificates if you make sustainability claims.
- Batch traceability and a sample for your own line trials.
Frequently asked questions
Is PFAS-free paper as good at holding back grease?
For many fast-food and bakery uses, yes. High-grease applications are harder, so test your actual product (reference 5 describes grades for both light and high grease loads).
Does one certificate cover every country?
No. Rules differ by market, and Europe relies partly on national measures for paper and board (references 3 and 4).
Can I use label paper on food-contact surfaces?
Only if the paper, adhesive and inks are suitable for that contact. Labels on the outside of a sealed bottle are usually treated differently from direct-contact wraps. Confirm with your compliance team.
