| Uncoated kraft paper | 40–120 g/m² | Bags, wraps, secondary packaging, dry-food sacks | Good tensile strength, tear resistance, printability and foldability | Usually none; optional grease-resistant treatment for selected uses | Must be suitable for the intended food-contact conditions and supported by supplier compliance documentation | Generally compatible with paper recycling when free from unsuitable coatings, laminates and heavy contamination | Confirm fiber source, food-contact declaration, odor, strength and performance after printing or converting |
| Grease-resistant paper | 35–90 g/m² | Bakery bags, sandwich wraps, fast-food liners and fried-food packaging | Resistance to oil and grease while retaining flexibility and seal or fold performance | Fluorochemical-free sizing, dispersion coating or other approved grease barrier | Request confirmation that intentionally added PFAS are not used where required by the destination market | Recycling depends on the coating chemistry, treatment level and local mill acceptance criteria | Test oil resistance using the relevant application method, contact time and food temperature |
| Paperboard for folding cartons | 180–600 g/m² | Cereal boxes, dry-food cartons, confectionery cartons and multipack sleeves | Stiffness, smoothness, creaseability, dimensional stability and high-quality print surface | Optional dispersion coating, varnish or barrier layer for moisture, aroma or grease control | Ink, coating, adhesive and recycled-fiber components must be assessed for the intended food-contact structure | Unlaminated or suitably coated fiber-based cartons are commonly designed for paper recycling; local rules apply | Check board caliper, bending stiffness, creasing quality, migration data and carton compression strength |
| Liquid-packaging board | 180–400 g/m² before lamination | Milk, juice, plant-based drinks and other liquid-food cartons | High stiffness, liquid tightness, dimensional stability and reliable heat-seal performance | Polymer layers, sometimes combined with an aluminum barrier layer for light and oxygen protection | All layers, inks, adhesives and sealants must be suitable for the food-contact application and market | Recycling requires specialized separation of paper fibers from polymer and any additional barrier layers | Verify seal integrity, pinhole resistance, shelf-life performance and availability of local recycling routes |
| Cupstock paperboard | 170–350 g/m² | Hot-drink cups, cold-drink cups, dessert cups and portion containers | Formability, stiffness, leak resistance, heat resistance and stable rim sealing | Polymer dispersion coating or polymer film on one or both sides | Evaluate total structure, coating, inks and adhesives for hot, cold, acidic or fatty foods as applicable | Coated cups may require dedicated collection and recycling systems rather than standard paper recycling | Check cup forming, bottom-seam tightness, rim performance, temperature range and nesting behavior |
| Baking and ovenable paper | 35–100 g/m² | Baking liners, roasting bags, oven trays and parchment-style food wraps | Release performance, grease resistance, wet strength and controlled heat resistance | Silicone treatment or other food-approved release and barrier systems | Confirm maximum temperature, heating time, food type and intended oven or microwave conditions | Recycling is often limited after food contamination or where release coatings prevent normal fiber recovery | Request temperature limits, release test results, odor evaluation and declaration of compliance |
| Wet-strength paper | 45–120 g/m² | Fresh-produce bags, meat or fish interleaves, wet-food wraps and absorbent liners | Strength retention when exposed to water, condensation or liquid food | Wet-strength resins, sizing agents or surface treatments | Wet-strength chemicals must be suitable for the food-contact use and comply with applicable restrictions | High wet strength can reduce repulpability; acceptance depends on the paper mill and local collection system | Measure wet tensile strength, absorbency, odor, fiber shedding and performance during chilled storage |
| Molded fiber packaging | Typical wall thickness: 1–5 mm | Egg cartons, produce trays, food bowls, protective inserts and takeaway containers | Compression strength, cushioning, shape retention and resistance to moisture or grease where needed | Water-based barrier, dispersion coating or other approved surface treatment | Assess molded-fiber furnish, additives, coatings, adhesives and the actual food-contact surface | Often fiber recyclable or compostable only under defined conditions; certification and local infrastructure must be verified | Check nesting, dimensional tolerance, stacking strength, migration and end-of-life instructions |
| Recycled-content food paper | 40–350 g/m², depending on format | Secondary cartons, outer bags, trays and selected direct-contact applications | Consistent strength, cleanliness, odor control and stable converting performance | Functional barrier or virgin-fiber contact layer may be used where required | Recycled fibers require additional controls for contaminants, mineral oils, odors and other substances of concern | Supports circular-fiber goals, but actual recyclability depends on coatings, laminations, inks and local systems | Request recycled-content percentage, source-control information, contaminant testing and traceability records |
| Paper with a moisture barrier | 50–300 g/m² | Frozen food sleeves, chilled-food wraps, produce packaging and dry foods sensitive to humidity | Controlled water-vapor resistance, dimensional stability and protection from condensation | Water-based dispersion, polymer coating, wax alternative or multilayer structure | Barrier substances must be assessed for direct or indirect food contact and for the target temperature range | Repulpability varies significantly by coating weight and polymer type; verify with the intended recycling mill | Specify water-vapor transmission, storage humidity, freezing conditions and required shelf life |
| Printed food paper | Any grade used for the selected package format | Labels, wraps, bags, cartons and branded or information panels | Ink adhesion, rub resistance, color consistency, low odor and controlled set-off | Water-based or other application-specific inks, coatings and varnishes | Evaluate the printed side, reverse side, set-off risk, recycled content and any functional barrier between ink and food | Inks, varnishes and laminations can affect deinking and fiber recovery; follow local mill requirements | Confirm ink migration assessment, drying conditions, rub testing, odor testing and batch color tolerance |
| Export-ready food paper packaging | Selected according to product weight, transport and package design | Global shipments of dry, chilled, frozen and ready-to-eat foods | Protection against compression, humidity, abrasion, temperature changes and handling damage | Moisture, grease, oxygen or light barriers according to the product shelf-life target | Destination-market rules may differ; documentation should cover material composition, food contact, traceability and packaging waste obligations | Design should minimize unnecessary layers while preserving required product protection and local recyclability | Confirm pallet performance, storage conditions, transport simulation, labeling requirements and end-of-life guidance |