The Role of Lamination in Sustainable Packaging Solutions: As environmental concerns become a central focus for consumers and businesses alike, the packaging industry is rapidly evolving to embrace sustainable alternatives. Lamination, often viewed as a barrier to recyclability, has traditionally been associated with plastic waste and landfill build-up. But thanks to innovation in materials and technologies, lamination, coatings, and adhesives can now be an ally in sustainable packaging, rather than an obstacle.
In this article, we explore how lamination supports sustainability goals, the emergence of eco-conscious materials, and how Gif Products is helping brands make better environmental choices.
Why Sustainable Packaging Matters
Packaging accounts for a significant share of global plastic consumption, and traditional lamination films can hinder the recyclability of compostability of printed materials. However, demand for green alternatives is surging:
- Consumers increasingly expect brands to reduce their environmental footprint, with 68% of UK adults saying they are trying to have a positive impact on the environment through their everyday actions, including the products they buy (WRAP UK).
- Regulations are tightening around single-use plastics and non-recyclable materials, with the UK government implementing bans on items such as plastic cutlery, plates, and expanded polystyrene food containers and expanding Extended Producer Responsibility and Plastic Packaging Tax frameworks (UK Government).
- Sustainability is a key differentiator in retail, especially in food, cosmetics, and luxury sectors, where consumers increasingly factor environmental values into their purchasing decisions (Deloitte UK).
To stay competitive, responsible companies must rethink every layer of their packaging, including the laminate, adhesive and coating.
Sustainable Lamination Options from GIF Products
We’re proud to offer a growing portfolio of sustainable lamination films, coatings, and adhesives that support our customers’ environmental initiatives without compromising on performance or aesthetics.
- Aqueous-Based Barrier Coatings
Recyclable | Food-Safe | Customisable Performance
Aqueous coatings offer a sustainable, high-performance alternative to polyethylene films and wax coatings for food and drink packaging. These water-based coatings:
- Provide reliable resistance to moisture, grease, and odour
- Offer a water-based alternative to plastic films
- Support heat-sealable and non-heat-sealable configurations
- Are microwave and oven compatible for ready-meal applications
- Maintain transparency when dry, preserving design visibility
- Comply with food-contact regulations and are customisable to converting needs
Applications: Takeaway food trays, beverage cups (hot & cold), snack boxes, wraps, and microwaveable meal containers.
- Aqueous-Based Film-to-Film Lamination Adhesives
Water-Based | Recyclable | Versatile Bonding
Our aqueous adhesives provide a greener alternative to solvent-based adhesives, making film-to-film lamination more sustainable. These adhesives:
- Eliminate the use of harmful solvents, reducing VOC emissions
- Enable recyclability when paired with compatible substrates
- Deliver strong, durable bonding without compromising clarity or flexibility
- Are suitable for a wide range of substrates, including paper, board, PET, OPP, and other laminating films
- Offer food-safe formulations for packaging that requires direct or indirect food contact compliance
Applications: Flexible food packaging, paper-to-film laminates, pouches, labels, and eco-conscious consumer goods packaging. These adhesives are suitable for both pasteurisation involving shorter times at lower temperatures and sterilisation, where higher temperatures for longer-term preservation are required. Our adhesives perform reliably across both applications, making them suitable for a wide-range of packaging demands.
- Cellulosic Films
Biodegradable | Compostable | Renewable
- Made from wood pulp sourced from sustainably managed forests
- Available in matt and gloss finishes
- Suitable for commercial composting environments
- Offers excellent clarity and print compatibility
- Ideal for packaging where natural, eco-friendly messaging is part of the brand identity
Applications: Food packaging, cosmetics, boutique retail, organic products and luxury packaging.
- PLA (Polylactic Acid) Films
Industrially Compostable | Plant-Based | Clear & Metallised Options
- Derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane
- Certified industrially compostable
- Fully biodegradable under industrial composting conditions
- Available in clear or metallised versions
- Heat-sealable and suitable for short shelf-life items
Applications: Food wrap, bakery packaging, personal care, and sustainable brand promotions.
- PET-G (Polyester Glycol-Modified) Films
Recyclable | Thermoformable | High Strength
- A co-polyester thermoplastic known for strength and clarity
- Fully recyclable, especially within closed-loop industrial systems
- Offers high impact resistance and excellent thermoformability
- Compatible with digital and offset printing techniques
Applications: Pharmaceutical packaging, blister packs, drinking bottles, promotional goods.
- Bio-PP (Biobased Polypropylene) Films
Recyclable | Plant-Derived | Drop-in Replacement
- Produced from renewable resources such as plant-based oils
- Mimics the functionality of conventional polypropylene films
- Non-fossil fuel-based recycled content
- Offers excellent barrier properties, durability, and versatility
- Available in matt, gloss, anti-scratch and soft touch.
Applications: Food packaging, labels, flexible pouches, and consumer goods packaging.
- PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) Films
Circular Economy | Recyclable | Resource-Efficient
- Made with 30% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) and 70% Virgin PP
- Reduces demand for virgin plastic while keeping materials in use
- Suitable for a wide range of lamination and packaging applications
- Available in both matt and gloss finishes
- Helps brands meet sustainability targets and plastic tax requirements
Applications: Pouches and general retail packaging. From snacks to cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Choosing the Right Sustainable Laminate
When selecting a laminate for sustainable packaging, brands should consider:
- End-of-life goals: Compostable? Recyclable? Biodegradable?
- Compatibility: Will the film bond well with inks, adhesives, or substrates used?
- Functional requirements: Does the packaging need barrier properties, heat resistance, or flexibility?
- Certifications: Look for materials that meet compostability or recyclability standards such as EN 13432 or ASTM D6400.
Our team at Gif Products works closely with clients to identify the most suitable film, coating, or adhesive for their packaging application, balancing eco-performance with visual appeal and technical reliability.
Success in Action: Sustainable Packaging in Retail
Retailers and manufacturers are already making the switch:
- Artisan food brands are using cellulosic to present a natural aesthetic without plastic guilt.
- Health and beauty brands are adopting PLA films to align with their botanical and cruelty-free values.
- Eco-conscious tech companies are using PET-G to package gadgets in a modern yet recyclable format.
- Paper packaging converters are turning to aqueous coatings for greaseproof snack boxes and hot or cold beverage cups that are fully recyclable
- Flexible packaging producers are choosing aqueous-based adhesives to reduce VOCs and improve recyclability while maintaining performance.
- Brands seeking drop-in sustainable alternatives are turning to BioPP films, which deliver the same performance as conventional polypropylene while being plant-derived.
- Retailers are adopting PCR films to cut virgin plastic use, showcase circular economy credentials, and meet tightening plastic tax requirements.
By investing in the right lamination, coating, or adhesive, these businesses not only reduce their environmental impact but also enhance brand perception in a sustainability-conscious market.
Let’s Build Greener Packaging Together
Sustainable lamination, coatings, and adhesives don’t mean sacrificing quality, performance, or design. With innovative solutions like Aqueous-Based Barrier Coatings, Aqueous-Based Lamination Adhesives, Cellulosic, PLA, PET-G, Bio-PP, and PCR Films, your packaging can be both functional and future-friendly.
Visit our Lamination Film Collection or contact us to speak with our specialists about the best eco-friendly options for your packaging project.
Together, we can create packaging solutions that protect products and the planet.