Overview
Sealpap B.V. (trading as SEALPAP®) is a Netherlands-based innovator in recyclable paper-based flexible packaging solutions. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Utrecht, the company develops specialty coated papers that are fully recyclable in standard paper streams while providing the sealability and barrier properties required for automated packaging lines.
Sealpap’s core technology is a proprietary coating formulation applied to paper substrates that enables:
- Heat-sealability on standard VFFS and HFFS packaging machines
- Hot-tack performance for reliable high-speed packaging
- Fiber-tear properties ensuring the seal breaks in the paper fibers (not the coating), confirming recyclability
- Water repellency for product protection
- High-definition printability (up to 8 colors) for brand presentation
In 2024, Sealpap was acquired by TIPA Compostable Packaging (through its European subsidiary Bio4Pack). The acquisition combines TIPA’s certified compostable flexible packaging portfolio with Sealpap’s recyclable paper coating technology, giving brands a dual-pathway sustainable packaging offering: recyclable paper or compostable bioplastic.
Primary Materials
- Sealable coated paper — All-over or spot-coated papers for automatic packaging machines
- Recyclable paper banderoles (wrap-around) — Sustainable alternative to plastic sleeves
- Brown MG coated kraft paper — For mailing envelopes and e-commerce packaging
- Flow-pack paper — Inside/outside coated for fin-seal or lap-seal applications
Market Segments
Flexible Packaging, Food Packaging, Sustainable Packaging, Flow Packaging, E-commerce Mailing, Fresh Produce
Key Technologies / Innovations
VFFS/HFFS Machine Compatibility Sealpap’s coated papers are engineered to run on existing vertical and horizontal form-fill-seal equipment without machine modifications. The coating provides the necessary hot-tack and seal strength for high-speed operation.
Spot Coating Technology Coating is applied only to seal areas (longitudinal and transverse seals), minimizing coating weight and maximizing paper fiber content for optimal recyclability.
Dual-Side Coating Capability For flow-pack applications, Sealpap can coat both inside and outside surfaces, enabling either fin-seal or lap-seal configurations.
DIN CERTCO 14021 Recyclability Certification Sealpap’s wrap-around banderoles are certified fully recyclable under DIN CERTCO 14021, produced from FSC-certified papers.
Manufacturing & Operations
- Headquarters: Utrecht, Netherlands (Nieuwe Vaart 1a, 3451AH)
- Production: Coating and converting operations in the Netherlands
- Parent Company: TIPA Compostable Packaging (via Bio4Pack) since 2024
- Key Personnel: Robert van der Laan (Owner/Founder, now part of TIPA group)
Recent Developments
2024 Acquisition by TIPA — TIPA Compostable Packaging acquired Sealpap through Bio4Pack to expand its European paper-based packaging portfolio. Robert van der Laan stated: “By joining TIPA, SEALPAP is taking a major step forward in enabling brands to choose truly sustainable paper-based packaging options, whether recyclable or compostable.”
Fruit Logistica 2024 — Sealpap exhibited sustainable paper banderoles for asparagus and fresh produce packaging at Fruit Logistica Berlin.
RECYCLOPE Mailing Envelopes — Under development: sealable, water-repellent coated paper for automatic production of mailing envelopes, sealable against itself and (bio)plastics.
Certifications & Standards
- DIN CERTCO 14021 (Recyclability)
- FSC-certified paper sourcing
- Compliance with EU Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) for paper alternatives
Competitive Position
Sealpap occupies a unique niche at the intersection of paper converting and functional coating technology. Unlike pure paper manufacturers, Sealpap’s value is in the coating formulation that makes paper behave like plastic on packaging lines. Unlike bioplastic producers, Sealpap’s solutions are inherently recyclable in existing paper streams (not requiring industrial composting infrastructure).
The TIPA acquisition positions Sealpap within a broader sustainable packaging platform offering both recyclable (paper) and compostable (bioplastic) pathways to brands.
Last updated: July 2025