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title: 3 Ink and Processing Adjustments for Fiber-Based Packaging
lang: en
source: https://mindsprt.dev/en/knowledge/sun-chemical-archipelago-fibre-based-packaging/
---

# 3 Ink and Processing Adjustments for Fiber-Based Packaging

*File Preparation · 8 min read · 2026-09-17*

> Sun Chemical and Archipelago's partnership puts inks, barrier coatings, and forming processes into one validation workflow for fiber-based packaging. Designers can use substrate selection, color proofing, and PPWR procurement requirements to build a specification that printers can actually execute

**Quick answer:** To make fiber-based packaging work in production, validate the substrate, liquid barrier coating, Powerdrop processing, and proofing together. Mai Strategy's Three Print-Ready Gates can screen for adhesion, barrier performance, and production risks first

## What Changes with the Sun Chemical and Archipelago Partnership?

This partnership changes the processing setup for fiber-based packaging. It does not mean every printer should immediately replace its existing inks.

Fiber-based packaging uses paper or molded fiber as its primary structure. Barrier coatings fill the gaps in protection against oil, water, and gases while preserving a recyclable single-material pathway as far as possible.

On September 15, 2026, Sun Chemical, a materials supplier of inks and liquid barrier coatings, announced in its [official announcement](https://www.sunchemical.com/sun-chemical-and-archipelago-technology-group-announce-partnership-to-boost-adoption-of-fibre-based-packaging-solutions/) that it was partnering with Archipelago Technology Group, a technology company that provides non-contact coating equipment and complete coating workflows. The partnership brings Powerdrop™ (a non-contact coating machine and coating process), liquid barrier coatings, and resistant coatings into a single solution, with heat-seal capability available as an option. Applications cover 2D substrates and 3D molded fiber containers.

Printers need to check ink adhesion, compatibility with dry and wet processing, coating uniformity, and performance after forming as one package. The announcement does not call for a wholesale switch to a particular ink series. Designers do not need to revise their artwork first, and printers should not buy an entire new ink system upfront.

Do not rush to change the inks.

## Why Should the Barrier Layer Be Included in the Prepress Specification for Fiber Substrates?

Fiber substrates need the barrier layer written into the prepress specification because untreated cellulose does not provide enough protection against oil, water, and gases. Demanding packaging, such as hot-food packaging, cannot rely on printing on the paper surface alone.

If a paper-based solution uses lamination or extrusion to add a plastic layer, the finished product becomes a composite that is harder to recycle. Powerdrop forms a uniform barrier layer with a high-throughput, low-waste, ultra-thin functional coating. Sun Chemical then supplies liquid barrier and resistant coatings, with heat-seal capability added when needed.

The partners say the total coating weight can be kept below the 5% threshold, allowing the container to retain a high-purity cellulose monomaterial structure, continue using existing paper-recycling infrastructure, and avoid special sorting.

That 5% is not some magical number to fill into the design file, but it affects the order in which color proofing, ink absorption, corner folds, and sealing are validated.

## What Three Things Should Designers and Printers Check First?

Designers and printers should check three things first: the substrate, coating compatibility, and performance after forming. Those are the minimum requirements I would put into "Mai Strategy's Three Print-Ready Gates."

・① Substrate gate: State whether it is a 2D substrate or a 3D molded fiber container. Specify whether each use area needs an oil, water, or gas barrier. Do not submit only an "eco-friendly paper box."

・② Compatibility gate: Put the existing ink series, drying conditions, dry or wet processing, liquid barrier coating, and heat-seal options through the same round of drawdowns and proofs. Confirm adhesion and color.

・③ Forming gate: Passing a flat proof does not mean it will pass after forming. Include corner folds, die-cutting, sealing, and actual contact areas in pre-production validation, especially for 3D molded fiber containers.

If a product changes from a 2D paper box to a 3D molded fiber container, revisit the fold lines, seals, and contact areas when revising the artwork. Do not simply save the original PDF as a new file. In my experience with packaging projects, the front-panel color is often what people notice first. The real problems, though, tend to show up at the corners and seals.

## How Will PPWR Change Brands' Procurement Decisions?

PPWR will make brands assess packaging procurement alongside recyclability, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) costs, and access to the EU market, rather than looking only at the print price.

The European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has been generally applicable since August 2026, setting legally binding recyclability requirements for EU member states.

The source says pure monomaterial that is at least 95% recyclable can be classified as Grade A, with permanent market access and the lowest EPR rate. Multilayer laminated packaging may struggle to meet subsequent requirements.

Domestic sales in Taiwan do not mean PPWR applies directly. But any brand that exports to the EU or supplies international customers should ask about the coating ratio, material composition, and recycling route at the quotation stage. The label "paper-based" cannot replace validation.

## How Should Small and Midsize Printers in Taiwan Start Adopting It?

For small and midsize printers in Taiwan, the right way to start is with real-material validation in small batches for clearly defined uses. It is not yet time to treat a partnership announcement as an instruction to retool the entire plant.

Sun Chemical and Archipelago have announced their first approved coating, BARV656: VAPORBLOC DFC HOTFOOD. It has completed testing and validation and is now commercially available. That gives hot-food fiber packaging a starting point for inquiries, but commercial availability does not mean every production line can use it as-is.

・Brands should first provide the actual substrate, barrier requirements, forming method, and export market, then require proofing and a small production trial using the same batch of materials.

・Printers and designers should record the ink series, coating location, heat-seal conditions, and version together. Accept flat color, post-forming performance, and recycling route separately.

Teams that already have a prototype can first send these details to MINDS to confirm proofing conditions. When the specifications are fixed and a small batch of samples is planned, they can also check with MINDS about file and material requirements.

## Key Takeaways

・The print specification for fiber-based packaging should put inks, barrier coatings, and forming conditions in the same brief.

・Powerdrop's value lies in thin, uniform, low-waste liquid coating. The partners are aiming to keep the total coating below 5%.

・A flat proof for a 2D substrate cannot replace forming validation for a 3D molded fiber container.

・PPWR's 95% Grade A condition brings monomaterial and EPR rates into brand procurement decisions.

・BARV656 is commercially available, but every production line still needs a small-batch trial with the actual substrate.

## Further Thoughts

The next step for printing and manufacturing teams is to put inks, coatings, forming, and recycling into the same job card. The design team should write the actual substrate and proof sequence into the file handoff. AI should be used only to check for missing fields in the specification sheet, compare versions, and flag incomplete validation. It should not make the call on adhesion or recyclability. SaaS (a cloud-based order and process management service) should preserve the coating, ink series, substrate, market requirements, and approved proof, so the original conditions can still be found the next time the artwork changes. My approach is simple: ask every question that can be asked, then let the equipment and materials suppliers answer with real samples. Do not mistake a pretty flat proof for a production guarantee.

## Further Reading

・[Sun Chemical and Archipelago Technology Group Partner to Advance Fiber-Based Packaging Solutions](https://www.sunchemical.com/sun-chemical-and-archipelago-technology-group-announce-partnership-to-boost-adoption-of-fibre-based-packaging-solutions/)

## FAQ

### Does the Sun Chemical and Archipelago partnership mean printers need to replace all their inks?

No. The official announcement focuses on the Powerdrop coating process and Sun Chemical's liquid barrier and resistant coatings. It does not announce that every printer must switch to the same ink system. Printers should first use the actual substrate to validate adhesion, drying, and processing compatibility.

### Why does fiber-based packaging need a barrier coating?

Untreated cellulose does not provide enough protection against oil, water, and gases. Adding a plastic layer through lamination or extrusion can also create a composite that is harder to recycle. A liquid barrier coating can help preserve a cellulose monomaterial structure.

### What information should designers provide before handing over files?

At a minimum, specify whether the substrate is 2D or 3D, the barrier use, ink series, dry or wet processing, heat-seal conditions, proof sequence, and export market, so the printer can validate everything under the same set of conditions.

### What do 5% and 95% represent?

The partners say total coating weight can be kept below 5%, while the source says pure monomaterial that is at least 95% recyclable can be classified as Grade A. These are material and regulatory assessment conditions, not standard design-file dimensions.

### How should small and midsize printers in Taiwan start validating?

They can start by asking about a commercially available coating such as BARV656: VAPORBLOC DFC HOTFOOD, then run a small-batch trial with the actual substrate and separately confirm color, forming, barrier performance, and the recycling route.


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