Dow and RDM Group have partnered to introduce an innovative fibre-based food packaging solution, Multiboard CirculaRR, marking a significant advancement in sustainable and circular packaging for the food industry. Designed specifically for food-contact applications, the solution is suitable for a wide range of uses, including frozen foods such as fish, cakes, fruit trays, and dry pet food packaging. This development reflects the increasing demand for packaging solutions that align with both environmental goals and regulatory requirements.
Multiboard CirculaRR combines RDM Group’s expertise in recycled cartonboard production with Dow’s capabilities in materials science, circular polymers, and advanced recycling technologies. The result is a fully recycled packaging material, consisting of recycled paper coated with recycled polyethylene (PE). Despite its recycled composition, the solution delivers strong barrier performance and durability, ensuring food safety and product protection in demanding applications.
The product builds upon RDM Group’s existing Multiboard Barrier platform, manufactured at its facility in Fiskeby, Sweden. Containing approximately 5% polyethylene by weight, the material maintains a low polymer content, making it highly compatible with existing paper recycling systems. This design allows the packaging to be efficiently collected, sorted, and processed within standard recycling streams, supporting improved end-of-life management and waste reduction.
The polyethylene coating used in Multiboard CirculaRR is certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS), confirming that the recycled plastic is derived from advanced recycling processes and tracked through a mass-balance approach. Additionally, the solution has received certification from ISEGA, verifying its compliance and safety for food-contact applications.
Dow’s advanced recycling technologies play a key role in enabling the use of recycled plastic in food-safe applications. These processes convert hard-to-recycle plastic waste into molecular feedstock, which can then be used to produce high-quality plastics with properties comparable to virgin materials. This complements traditional mechanical recycling and broadens the scope for sustainable plastic use in sensitive applications such as food packaging.
According to Marian Gmenta, Senior Marketing Manager for Circular and Renewable Solutions at Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics EMEA, the collaboration with RDM Group highlights the importance of partnerships in driving circular innovation. The solution offers strong potential for brands and converters, particularly as they prepare for evolving European regulations such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
Multiboard CirculaRR has also undergone independent testing using the latest recyclability assessment protocol developed by 4evergreen. The results confirm that the packaging is not only made from recycled materials but is also fully compatible with established paper recycling systems.
This is especially relevant as the EU PPWR mandates that all packaging in the European market must be recyclable by 2030 and introduces minimum recycled plastic content requirements. Multiboard CirculaRR supports brands in meeting these future regulations while maintaining high standards of food safety, performance, and environmental responsibility.