MM Board & Paper – ALASKA® BARRIER GEASE – Hard sized virgin fibre cartonboard with most innovative grease barrier
ALASKA® BARRIER GREASE was developed by MM Board & Paper, part of the MM Group, one of Europe’s leading producers of cartonboard and paper‑based packaging. The company operates production sites across Europe and focuses on renewable, fibre‑based materials, particularly for consumer packaging. Innovation at MM Board & Paper combines product safety, regulatory compliance and sustainability, with a strong focus on recyclable, bio‑based packaging made in Europe. ALASKA® BARRIER GREASE is produced at the MM Kotkamills site in Finland.
ALASKA® BARRIER GREASE is a high‑quality cartonboard made from fresh fibres, designed to protect food from grease and moisture. It offers excellent grease resistance and keeps packaging stable, even at low temperatures. This makes it suitable for demanding applications such as chilled, frozen and dry foods, as well as food service packaging. It is approved for direct food contact.
The grease protection uses a water‑based coating and contains no fluorinated substances, making it a more sustainable alternative to plastic‑coated cartonboard. The material is lightweight, easy to print and convert, and recyclable through standard paper and board recycling systems. ALASKA® BARRIER GREASE meets the growing demand for fibre‑based packaging solutions that help reduce plastic use while maintaining strong performance.
Alaska barrier grease
Potential future developments
ALASKA® BARRIER GREASE is well positioned to further strengthen the competitiveness of virgin fibre cartonboard in applications traditionally dominated by plastic‑coated materials. This supports society’s growing demand for safe, circular and low‑impact food packaging.
The light‑weighted design of ALASKA® BARRIER GREASE also enables lower material use and transport emissions, contributing to climate goals while maintaining high functionality.
As a “Made in Europe” innovation, the solution demonstrates how European industry can secure long‑term employment, sustain regional bioeconomy clusters and retain technological leadership in fibre‑based materials. Its future potential lies in scaling high‑performance barrier boards that meet stricter regulatory requirements and evolving consumer expectations –reinforcing Europe’s role as a global reference for fibre‑based packaging innovation
Current contribution
ALASKA® BARRIER GREASE contributes to the EU bioeconomy by advancing fibre‑based, recyclable packaging made from virgin fibres sourced from sustainably managed forests. By integrating a water‑based, fluorine‑free grease barrier directly to cartonboard, it replaces PE‑coated solutions in grease‑intensive food applications while remaining recyclable in established paper and board streams. This strengthens circular material use and reduces dependence on fossil‑based packaging.
Produced at MM Kotkamills in Finland, the innovation supports regional industrial value creation, skilled employment and continuous R&D investment within the European forest‑based sector. Its light‑weighted design and high performance enable material efficiency and contribute to decarbonisation, with MM indicating significant emission savings when substituting standard PE‑coated cartonboard.
As a “Made in Europe” innovation, ALASKA® BARRIER GREASE showcases Europe’s leadership in combining renewable raw materials, advanced barrier technology and regulatory‑ready food contact solutions. It demonstrates how European manufacturers can keep traditional virgin fibre cartonboard competitive while meeting societal expectations for sustainability, food safety and climate action.
