RDM Group, a leading producer of recycled cartonboard, and Dow, a global materials science company, today announced the launch of Multiboard CirculaRR, a breakthrough solution that advances circularity in food barrier packaging. The innovation is suitable for food-contact applications, including frozen foods such as fish and cakes as well as fruit trays or dry pet food.

Multiboard CirculaRR brings together RDM Group’s expertise in fibre‑based packaging with Dow’s leadership in circular polymers and advanced recycling technologies. The solution is made entirely with recycled materials – recycled paper coated with advanced recycled polyethylene (PE) – while maintaining the functionality performance required for demanding packaging applications.

The new solution builds on RDM Group’s existing Multiboard Barrier product, manufactured at the company’s facility in Fiskeby, Sweden. MBO Barrier is a recycled cartonboard coated with around 5% polyethylene (PE) by weight. The low polymer content enables the packaging to be collected and processed within existing mixed paper recycling streams, supporting efficient end‑of‑life management.

Multiboard’s CirculaRR plastic part is certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS) system, confirming the use of recycled plastic from advanced recycling through a mass‑balance chain of custody. The packaging solution has also achieved certification from ISEGA, an independent testing institute specializing in materials intended for food contact, confirming its suitability for food packaging applications.

Dow’s materials science and circular polymer expertise play a key role in enabling this food-contact-compliant solution by supporting the use of certified recycled plastic from advanced recycling. Working alongside mechanical recycling, advanced recycling provides a complementary pathway for hard‑to‑recycle plastic waste, converting it back into molecular building blocks that can be used to produce high‑performance plastics with virgin‑like quality.

Multiboard CirculaRR has been independently assessed using the latest testing protocol developed by 4evergreen, a cross‑industry alliance focused on improving the circularity of fibre‑based packaging. These tests confirm that the solution is not only made from recycled materials but also designed to be recyclable within established paper recycling systems.

This design‑for‑recyclability aspect is increasingly critical as brand owners and value‑chain partners prepare for evolving regulatory requirements. The EU PPWR requires that all packaging placed on the EU market be recyclable by 2030 and introduces mandatory recycled plastic content targets. Multiboard CirculaRR helps brands and converters prepare for the PPWR’s recyclability ambitions and recycled content requirements, while maintaining food safety and performance.

Multiboard CirculaRR will be officially launched at interpack 2026, the world’s leading packaging fair, taking place in Düsseldorf, Germany, from 7-13 May. Prototypes of the innovation will be showcased at Dow’s booth (Hall 9, C24), providing visitors with a first look at how fibre‑based and plastic materials can be combined to deliver circular, high‑performance food packaging solutions.