Twin Rivers Addresses Food Safety Concerns with Expanded EcoBarrier PFAS-Free Packaging Paper Offering

Published: April 20, 2021

As the market looks for fluorochemical-free (FC-free) papers, Twin Rivers Paper Company has invested in its PFAS-free (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances-free) grease-resistant food packaging brand, EcoBarrier. The company worked closely with the largest fast-food, quick-serve, and fast-casual restaurants to engineer a food-safe non-fluorinated product.  

“By the end of 2023, most major North American chemical companies are voluntarily ceasing production fluorochemical-based grease-proofing agents,” said Rachel Van Wychen, director of packaging, Twin Rivers. “As papermakers, we’ve dedicated tremendous resources to the expansion of our PFAS-free paper portfolio. We’re currently in the field working with key customers to qualify our EcoBarrier products and ensure they’ve secured their source of supply in advance of the transition.”

The expanded Twin Rivers FC-free line-up includes:

• EcoBarrier Plus: a top-of-the-line paper engineered for heavy grease applications, is ideal for greasy food applications such as fry bags, hamburger and taco wraps, hash brown pouches, and microwave food bags. Available in basis weights ranging from 18 – 45 pounds /29 - 73 grams per square meter (24 x 36/500); and
• EcoBarrier Choice: a fit-for-use substrate designed with lighter grease-resistant properties, is known for exceptional stain holdout and outstanding printability. It delivers medium to light stain resistance for packaging, including cookie bags, sandwich wraps, and carryout bags. Available in basis weights ranging from 18 – 60 pounds /29 - 98 grams per square meter (24 x 36/500).

EcoBarrier delivers Twin Rivers’ hallmark converting performance in the areas of gluing, folding, printing, and laminating. Recycled content and chain-of-custody fiber certification are available upon request. Additionally, all EcoBarrier products are 100 percent recyclable, biodegradable, and plastic-free, making it the optimal substrate choice for sustainable packaging.  

Both EcoBarrier papers are available with EZ Release™ for end uses needing exceptional release results. This proprietary formulation optimizes surface friction to produce nonstick functionality for baking, bacon layout, and other moist or fatty food applications.

Twin Rivers reportedly offers a comprehensive line of highly functional coated and uncoated packaging papers under the brands EcoBarrier®, Acadia®, and Bladepak®. The portfolio targets a range of applications that require oil and grease resistance, wet strength, FDA compliance, printability, microwaveability, strength properties, fiber certification, and recycled content.

For more information, visit https://www.twinriverspaper.com.