Dispersion coated barrier board solution for Maltesers boxes

MARS Wrigley UK has removed the black PE liner from its Maltesers boxes.

The move forms part of the firm’s journey towards 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging.

The company has replaced the old multi-layer box design, where the PE plastic liner covered the box, with a dispersion coated barrier paperboard. The new design has been tipped to reduce its annual plastic usage by 82 tonnes.

Metsä Board’s dispersion coated barrier board was used for the project. The solution is described as being fully recyclable, biodegradable and compostable and made of fresh fibres that aree traceable to their origin in sustainably managed forests.

Adam Grant, general manager at Mars Wrigley UK, said, “At Mars, we take our responsibility for sustainable packaging seriously, and today’s announcement that our iconic Maltesers box is now fully recyclable is another important step in our journey toward packaging that is 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable.” 

Matthew Terry, technical service director, South and West Europe, at Metsä Board, added, “We are firmly committed to helping brands develop solutions that address the increasingly pressing need to take food packaging in a more sustainable direction.”