Coatings for
water barrier
Maximize the resistance of your packaging with our next-generation water barrier solutions. Designed to protect paper, cardboard, and corrugated board against liquids and moisture, ensuring product integrity throughout the supply chain.
Superior protection with certified sustainability: recyclable, repulpable, and compostable.
What can you do with our water barriers?
Transform conventional paper into a high-performance material. Our coatings offer an effective barrier against water without compromising sustainability or operational efficiency.
Replace plastic laminates
Replace difficult-to-recycle multilayer materials with high-performance, low-environmental-impact barrier solutions.
Customized resistance
Choose the exact level of protection you need based on Cobb values, from adequate to excellent water barrier.
Preserve recyclability
Maintain the recycling, compostability, and repulpability properties of your packaging even with high water resistance.
Advantages of our water barriers
A perfect combination of technical performance and environmental responsibility, designed to easily integrate into your current processes.
Food contact
FDA, BfR, and EU approval for direct food contact, ideal for burger packaging and other foods.
Easy application
Compatible with existing Flexography and Rotogravure machines, without the need for special equipment.
High water resistance
Effective protection against liquids with customizable Cobb values according to your barrier needs.
Ecologically responsible
Recyclable, repulpable, and compostable products with BPI certification that reduce environmental impact.
Coatings for water barrier
Our range of waterproofing agents offers different levels of protection, measured by the COBB test, to adapt to any need. From light barriers to complete plastic replacements, we have the ideal solution for every substrate:
Corrugated Board
Boxes for fruits, vegetables, proteins, and refrigerated products requiring resistance to condensation.
Folding Cartons
Packaging for frozen foods, takeout boxes, burger packaging, and delivery containers.
Lightweight Papers
Food wrappers, paper bags, cups and containers for hot and cold drinks, greaseproof paper for baking.
Higher Cobb value = Higher water absorption
Hydraban Series
- Cobb values 22-28 2 minutes
- Dilutable up to 90% with water
- Compatible with Hotmelt and PVA gluing
- Allows ink application (Printable)
MichemCoat Series
- Cobb values 10-20 2 minutes
- Dilutable up to 30% with water
- Compatible with Hotmelt and PVA gluing even at low Cobb levels
VaporCoat Series
- Cobb values 0-10 2 minutes
- Moisture and grease resistance
- Compatible with Hotmelt gluing
- Plastic laminate replacement
Hydraban Series Performance
Cobb 2 min vs. Dilución
High dilution advantages:
- Higher economic yield: Get up to 5 times more effective product with 80% dilution.
- Performance stability: Cobb values only increase from 22 to 27 points even with 80% dilution.
- Dramatic reduction: From an initial Cobb of 126.23 to ranges of 22-27, maintaining excellent protection.
- Operational flexibility: Adjust concentration according to your specific needs without compromising quality.
"The high dilution of the Hydraban Series makes it a highly cost-effective option for applications requiring an adequate water barrier, allowing you to maximize product utilization."
Product Comparison
| Features | Hydraban Series | MichemCoat Series | VaporCoat Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrier Level | Adequate | Good | Excellent |
| Cobb Values (2 min) | 22-28 | 10-20 | 0-10 |
| Water Dilutability | Up to 90% - Maximum economic efficiency | Up to 30% | Limited |
| Grease Resistance | Basic | Moderate | High |
| Gluing Compatibility | Hotmelt and PVA | Hotmelt and PVA | Hotmelt |
| Printability | Excellent | Good | Limited |
Applications of our water barriers
Transform your products with waterproofing solutions that maintain the integrity of your packaging in humid conditions
Agricultural Box
Corrugated board with water barrier to maintain freshness and resist moisture from agricultural products.
Refrigerated Boxes
Packaging for proteins and frozen products that prevent degradation by condensation and moisture.
Food Packaging
Folding cartons for burgers, wraps, and moist or greasy foods for delivery and restaurants.
Paper Cups
Lightweight papers with coating for hot and cold drinks replacing traditional PE.
Application Methods
Our water barrier coatings are compatible with various printing and application systems, facilitating their integration into your existing production processes.
Compatible Equipment
Flexographic Printers
Adaptable to any varnishing or printing station, offering excellent versatility for in-line application during the printing process. Ideal for cardboards, folding cartons, and medium-weight papers.
Rotogravure
Provides uniform and high-precision coatings in high-volume productions. Allows exact control of coating thickness, optimizing product consumption and improving yield.
Varnishing Systems
Independent varnishing units equipped with anilox rollers or transfer systems for off-line applications. Compatible with corrugators for direct application on corrugated board of different calipers.
Size Press
Allows direct application on paper machines, integrating the coating during the paper manufacturing process. Ideal for lightweight papers and products requiring full-surface treatment.
Application Process
Coating preparation
Depending on the selected series, the product can be diluted with water in different proportions to optimize performance and cost:
Application
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Grammage recommendations (dry weight)
Drying
Our coatings are compatible with conventional drying systems:
Drying times vary according to applied grammage, production speed, and substrate, but generally require between 1-5 seconds at recommended temperatures.
Quality control
It is recommended to perform Cobb value measurements according to standard (2 minutes) to verify that the target range is met:
Additionally, for applications requiring grease resistance, it is recommended to perform 3M Kit tests to verify the protection level achieved.
Discover the appropriate waterproofing agent for your packaging
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DISCOVERFrequently Asked Questions
What is the Cobb test and how to interpret its results?
The Cobb test is a standardized method for measuring water absorption in paper and cardboard. It is expressed in g/m² and represents the amount of water absorbed by a sample in a given time (usually 2 minutes). A lower Cobb value indicates better water resistance. For example, a Cobb value of 5 g/m² means excellent water resistance, while a value of 25 g/m² indicates moderate resistance. This measurement is crucial for determining the suitability of the coating for different applications.
Are these coatings suitable for all types of papers and cardboards?
Yes, our coatings have been formulated to be compatible with a wide range of cellulosic substrates, including: Corrugated board (200-500 g/m²), Cardboard and folding cartons (180-350 g/m²), and Lightweight papers (30-120 g/m²). Each series can be adapted for specific applications on any of these substrates.
What are the main differences between Hydraban, MichemCoat, and VaporCoat series?
The Hydraban Series offers an adequate barrier (Cobb 22-28) with high dilutability. The MichemCoat Series provides a good barrier (Cobb 10-20) with medium dilutability. The VaporCoat Series provides an excellent barrier (Cobb 0-10) with additional resistance to grease and moisture.
Do the coatings affect the recyclability or compostability of the packaging?
No, all our coatings are designed with sustainability in mind. They are recyclable, repulpable, and compostable (BPI certification), allowing packaging to enter normal recycling or composting streams.
What food safety certifications do these coatings have?
They have FDA, BfR approval, and compliance with EU regulations for direct food contact, ensuring their safety for various food applications.
What advantages do your coatings offer over traditional plastic laminates?
They offer environmental benefits (recyclable, compostable), production efficiency (in-line application), economy (lower total cost), and regulatory compliance, maintaining comparable protection levels.