Business Unit Director Christian Höglund, who leads CH-Polymers’ Paper & Packaging unit, believes that strong R&D paves the way for continuous improvement in sustainable business.

Christian Höglund has led the Paper & Packaging unit since 2020

The packaging industry is undergoing a major global transformation.

– All the large brands have ambitious sustainability goals for the coming years, and usually those goals include reducing the amount of plastic in their packaging and replacing it with more environmentally friendly materials. That’s where CH-Polymers’ expertise and innovation come in. We facilitate the change with options like vinyl acetate acrylate and water-based barrier coating, Business Unit Director Christian Höglund lists.

Dating all the way back to the years as part of Raisio Chemicals, CH-Polymers has a long history of using cutting edge technology. According to Höglund who has worked in the packaging field his whole career and who now leads CH-Polymers’ Paper & Packaging team, the company’s emphasis and investment in product development is exceptional.

– To us, sustainability means continuous improvement. When we develop our products and processes, we consider the effects on the environment, safety, health, as well as the well-being of our society. We’re always striving to get better, Höglund says.

Change is accelerating

Traditionally, CH-Polymers has dealt with customers in the forest industry, and that has meant long customer relationships and contract periods. But things have changed.

Now we deliver a lot of barrier coatings to print houses that serve companies that produce so-called fast moving consumer goods – such as food, beverages, and personal care products. The pace is totally different. Campaigns come and go, the processes are constantly changing, and deadlines are short. Both people and processes must operate fast and be very flexible, and I’m proud to say that our team has stepped up to the plate.

Höglund also points out the importance of a good agent-based distribution organization.

– We’ve built a solid network in many European countries. The agents know the local market very well and have the technical know-how, which enables us to find the right partners in each country and move quickly and efficiently.

A clear vision for replacing plastics

The coming years will show what direction the packaging field is headed with sustainable development. The quick implementation of the EU’s single use plastics directive that aims to tackle marine litter has caused some headache for companies all over Europe. The current energy crisis also brings up concerns and uncertainty in the production industry.

CH-Polymers’ strategy for replacing plastics is clear.

We are already replacing plastics in fast food packaging and corrugated board applications, where CHP BAR provides excellent barrier features, Höglund states.

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