Types of Papers Used in the Food Packaging Industry

Introduction

As more people embrace eco-friendly lifestyles and move toward “paper instead of plastic,” the demand for innovative food packaging paper is growing rapidly. This shift is driving demand for biodegradable food packaging, recyclable paper cups, and sustainable takeaway packaging solutions across global markets. Today, I’ll introduce several popular types of paper used in the food industry. If you’re searching for reliable food-grade paper materials, this guide will help you make better purchasing decisions.

Food Packaging Paper Types

Greaseproof Paper

Greaseproof paper, as the name suggests, is specially coated to prevent oil and grease from penetrating the paper. Thanks to its water-resistant and oil-resistant properties, it’s widely used in the fast-food packaging sector.

Greaseproof paper keeps oil and moisture from seeping through, protecting the outer packaging from stains while keeping food clean and dry. It is durable, tear-resistant, and has a smooth surface that’s great for printing custom designs—helping both with aesthetics and brand promotion.

Common applications include burger wrapping paper, French fry bags, chicken wing liners, and popcorn pouches.

Cupstock Base Paper

Cupstock base paper is the uncoated raw paper used to make paper cups. It’s produced through standard papermaking processes and does not have built-in waterproof or oil-resistant properties. Many manufacturers, including us at Golden Paper, supply cupstock base paper so it can be further processed with suitable coatings based on your needs. Cupstock paper is the foundation of paper cup production and plays a critical role in the global shift toward disposable but eco-friendly beverage containers.

PE Coated Cupstock Paper

We also supply PE coated cupstock paper, which has a polyethylene barrier to prevent leakage and meet most food service packaging requirements.

Our PE coated paper is lightweight yet effective at resisting oil and water, keeping liquids or food from soaking through the cup walls.

For cups used with room-temperature beverages or dry food, both single-coated and double-coated options are fine.

For hot drinks or hot food, single-coated paper cups are generally sufficient. For cold drinks, especially frozen beverages, double-coated paper is best—it prevents condensation from seeping through the cup after thawing. This makes PE coated paper cups especially popular in coffee shops, juice bars, fast-food chains, and other food service businesses worldwide. By choosing the right coating level, you ensure your packaging performs well in real-world conditions.

CKB (Coated Kraft Back Board)

CKB stands for Coated Kraft Back Board—a type of food-grade kraft paperboard made from 100% virgin wood pulp. The base layer is unbleached kraft pulp, coated multiple times to meet both domestic and international food safety standards.

We never use fluorescent whitening agents to alter brightness or plasticizers to boost water resistance. Thanks to its virgin fiber composition, CKB has high stiffness, excellent tear strength, and strong tensile resistance—making it perfect for cake boxes, burger boxes, and snack packaging.

Liquid Packaging Board

Liquid packaging board (LPB) is mainly used to make cartons for milk, juice, and other beverages. In this case, the paper we supply is just the base material—it needs to be combined with polyethylene and sometimes aluminum foil to form the final multi-layer beverage carton.

These cartons are food-safe, eco-friendly, and designed to store liquids for extended periods. Liquid packaging board is a key material in the beverage industry, replacing plastic bottles in many markets and supporting recyclable carton packaging trends. There are two common types: 

Standard liquid packaging board – for long-shelf-life beverages. 

Roof-top liquid packaging board – for short-shelf-life drinks that require stricter hygiene, as it provides complete protection from external bacteria.

Conclusion

Did any of these food packaging paper types catch your attention? Golden Paper has over 20 years of papermaking experience and can supply a wide range of food-grade paper products to help your business stand out in the market. Let’s work together to create sustainable, high-performance packaging solutions.