A revolutionary breakthrough for the packaging industry

Cardboard as the new super-packaging: The NP^® protective coating makes it possible

Until now, the possible uses and design of paper-based packaging have been severely limited by the respective properties of the necessary protective coating. The NP^® Liquid Glass technology, on the other hand, offers flexibility in two respects:

• Firstly, NP^® Liquid Glass can easily be applied to packaging of any size and shape, giving cardboard manufacturers unprecedented freedom in the design of their products.
• Secondly, the functionality of the ultra-thin protective layer can be continuously extended: until a few months ago, it was primarily the repulsion of moisture, grease, odors and gases that posed challenges for manufacturers of paper and cardboard packaging. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the adhesion of viruses has become an additional problem.

To meet this market development, Nanopool GmbH had a virus-related functionalisation examined in a laboratory test relating to SARS-CoV-2 and intends to embed such functions into the existing NP^® product matrix in future. A laboratory result does not constitute evidence of protection against infection.

“It’s a bit like a smartphone,” explains Sascha Schwindt, Managing Director of Nanopool GmbH, describing the principle. “Just like a smartphone in its factory state, our base matrix is already highly versatile. It gives surfaces superphobic properties that prevent moisture, dirt and microorganisms from adhering stubbornly. Incidentally, appearance, feel and breathability are not affected. But just as a smartphone becomes even more customizable through apps, we can extend our base product with a wide variety of active agents. This makes our solution exceptionally versatile and flexible. An important market advantage – after all, who knows what unexpected requirements the future will bring!”

This means nothing now stands in the way of the packaging industry opening up entirely new applications. At the same time, NP® Liquid Glass equips companies for the pressing environmental situation and the related legal requirements:

Paper-based instead of composite materials

Conventional coating processes turn inherently biodegradable paper into composite materials by adding metals or plastics such as aluminum or polyethylene (PE), which then have to be disposed of separately.

The versatile NP^® Liquid Glass coating, on the other hand, is based on silicon dioxide, SiO2 for short, a naturally occurring mineral found in quartz sand. Whether a coated pack can be recycled depends on its complete material structure and must be assessed for each application. In view of rising requirements for packaging and increasingly strict regulations on plastic, this is a relevant question for manufacturers in the food sector, in logistics and in other fields of application. Leading international retail companies have signalled interest in optimizing their packaging materials with the award-winning NP^® protection.

Cost-effective and uncomplicated

Since the company was founded, Nanopool GmbH has received numerous environmental, innovation and business awards for its development. In announcing the latest award, the CFI jury highlights as a further plus the simplicity and cost-effective applicability of the NP^® Liquid Glass technology. It can be applied decentrally – for example via local distribution partners – which can shorten transport routes and make production more cost-efficient.

For further questions about the many possible applications of the NP^® protective coating, the company, based in Schwalbach/Germany, will be happy to assist: info@nanopool.eu