Kukil Paper Accelerates Supply of Paper-Based Packaging to Replace Plastic for Global Food and Beverage Brands

Kukil Paper, an SM Group affiliate, is accelerating its business transition from petrochemical-based packaging materials to paper-based alternatives. On April 27, the company announced that it has successfully replaced the consumable packaging for a global ice cream brand with paper, and is now supplying it stably. In addition, Kukil Paper is expanding its scope by simultaneously developing greaseproof paper for use in packaging dairy products such as margarine and butter.

Amid the recent instability in the supply of petrochemical raw materials such as naphtha due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, prices of plastic packaging materials have surged and supply disruptions continue. In this changing environment, paper packaging is emerging as an alternative, spurring a faster transition across the market.

In particular, the food and consumer goods industries are seeing a growing movement to reduce plastic usage or replace it with paper. Dongwon F&B achieved an annual reduction of approximately 27 tons of plastic through its "Yangban Perilla Oil Laver Eco Package," while the "Neofore Absorbent Pad," jointly developed by Moorim and Shinsegae Food, is another case where products based on traditional plastics have been replaced entirely with 100% natural pulp.

In line with these trends, Kukil Paper has consistently secured new references for paper packaging conversions. The company has switched packaging for a global ice cream brand, individual sanitary pad wrappers, release liners, and other products previously made with petrochemical materials to paper alternatives. Additionally, Kukil Paper is expanding paper applications to everyday life by replacing non-woven disposable restaurant aprons with paper-based ones and beyond.

Established in 1978, Kukil Paper has specialized in the production of specialty and industrial paper, and also operates a product line for food printing and packaging. Beyond simply producing base paper, the company possesses manufacturing capabilities suitable for actual food packaging processes. Kukil Paper has also developed various eco-friendly products, such as environmentally friendly paper straws, paper wet wipes, honeycomb packaging, and kraft paper-based pouch packaging.

Kukil Paper is also intensifying efforts to secure next-generation eco-friendly packaging technologies. Currently, the company is carrying out a government-funded project led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, focusing on the "Development of highly efficient biomanufacturing processes using bacterial cellulose (BC) and commercialization of greaseproof and waterproof paper products for daily use."

A company representative stated, "As raw material supply instability from the Middle East and the strengthening of global environmental regulations are occurring simultaneously, demand for paper packaging as a substitute for petrochemical materials is rapidly increasing. Based on our experience in manufacturing specialty paper for food, a range of alternative references, and the acquisition of next-generation technologies through national projects, we will proactively respond to changes in the eco-friendly packaging market."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.