Due to its composition the Catcher Board, which is produced using natural ingredients, reduces the migration of any organic substances by 99% and has been tested for a shelf life of more than 12 months. It is certified by food and pharmaceutical product testing laboratories Eurofins and ISEGA.

The activated carbon layer in the recycled board keeps pollutants within the material and adsorbs the odours, even in the cut edges of the board, giving food products protection against migration contamination by organic materials.

“A food box having a surface coating means that the edges of the cut sheets are exposed to the food inside. Tests have shown that mineral oil will migrate from these edges in quantities exceeding the recommended standards,” said Neil Skelton, business development director at Aylesford, Kent-based Chapelton Board.

“Without a redesign of the box, or changes to the packaging machine, migration from these edges cannot be avoided. Catcher Board MB12 eliminates any migration because the catcher in the middle layers of the board holds mineral oils and any other organics thus preventing their migration either from the surface or cut edges.

“With food safety being the driving force, all the testing stages have been undertaken in order that the retailers and consumers can be assured that the food inside Catcher Board MB12 remains as the producers want it to be, without any migration products or changes to the food they produce.”

The product is 100% recyclable as a mono material, and the activated carbon contained within its make-up originates from FSC-certified sources.

It has been developed in response to proposed legislation in Germany that would prohibit migration of mineral oil and other hydrocarbons into food products in measurable quantities.

According to Smurfit Kappa, Catcher Board MB12 looks, feels and reacts just like normal board during the packaging manufacturing process, which means that customers will not have to change existing processes.

The product will be made available across the cartonboard production, with weights from 300gsm to 500gsm, and as a solid board packaging product in weights from 400gsm to 2,000gsm.

“Chapelton is delighted to be handling such an innovative food packaging product, which fits perfectly with our current speciality product range,” said Skelton.

“We will not be stocking the material as a general stock line, but we will offer logistic support including dedicated warehousing where required. The material is readily available with immediate effect on a mill making basis.”

Earlier this month Chapelton, which has a turnover of £11m, also began to stock and distribute International Paper’s new GC2 lightweight coated board product Alaska Plus in the UK.