Dow and RDM Group Launch Recycled Fibre-Based Food Packaging for EU Compliance

Dow and RDM Group have introduced a new fibre-based food packaging solution made entirely from recycled materials, targeting upcoming European regulatory requirements on recyclability and recycled content.

The product, branded Multiboard CirculaRR, combines recycled cartonboard with a coating of advanced recycled polyethylene (PE) derived from chemical recycling. The companies said the material is suitable for food-contact applications, including frozen foods, fresh produce and dry pet food.

The new material builds on RDM’s earlier Multiboard Barrier range, which already contains only a small amount of plastic, around 5% by weight, allowing it to be recycled through standard paper streams. In the updated version, that plastic layer is replaced with ISCC PLUS-certified recycled polymer, helping meet circularity targets without compromising performance.

The development reflects a broader shift toward hybrid packaging formats that blend fibre and plastic while remaining compatible with existing recycling systems. Dow supplies the recycled polymer feedstock, while RDM contributes its expertise in fibre-based materials and packaging conversion.

Krzysztof Krajewski, chief sustainability and innovation officer at RDM Group, said the development aims to move beyond treating paper and plastic as competing materials and instead focus on improving overall recyclability across packaging systems. Marian Gmenta said the solution is designed to help converters and brand owners prepare for regulatory changes under the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

The packaging has been certified for food-contact use by ISEGA and carries ISCC PLUS certification for recycled plastic content under a mass-balance approach. It has also been assessed under testing protocols developed by the 4evergreen industry alliance, confirming compatibility with established paper recycling processes.

The launch comes as the European Union moves to require all packaging placed on the market to be recyclable by 2030, alongside minimum recycled content thresholds for plastics. These measures are driving demand for packaging formats that balance performance, compliance and circularity.

Multiboard CirculaRR is expected to be showcased at the interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf, where prototype applications will be presented.

Source: Dow

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