Sustainable packaging: Qwarzo and Burgo join forces to develop innovative and plastic-free solutions

Qwarzo S.p.A., an Italian company specializing in innovative materials for packaging, and Burgo Group S.p.A., among Europe’s leading producers of graphic, specialty and corrugated papers, announce a strategic collaboration to develop high-performance paper-based  packaging solutions that are plastic-free.

Qwarzo has developed and patented a mineral-based coating that gives exceptional barrier properties to paper — resistance to water, grease, oxygen, and vapor — while preserving its recyclability and compostability. Qwarzo® technology represents a real innovation in sustainable packaging, offering a high-performance alternative to traditional plastic and polymer barriers.

With 120 years of experience, Burgo is a leading player in the European paper industry. The Group operates 10 production sites (9 in Italy and 1 in Belgium) and offers a diversified product portfolio that serves the traditional graphic paper market as well as provides versatile solutions for the packaging and converting sector. Burgo stands out for its entrepreneurial approach, deeply rooted in innovation and in the principles of the circular economy.

Together, Qwarzo and Burgo combine technological R&D with industrial expertise in a partnership built on a shared vision: a future where paper, enhanced by innovative technologies, can effectively replace plastic barriers without compromising recyclability, compostability, or functionality. Burgo’s expertise in quality, innovation, and sustainability, paired with Qwarzo’s proprietary coating and eco-design, make this collaboration a virtuous example of Italian applied innovation.

“Burgo has been an essential partner in our innovation journey. For over two years, they have supported us in selecting the right paper for our applications, streamlining our time-to-market and delivering tangible sustainable packaging solutions,” said Luca Panzeri, Founder and CTO of Qwarzo.

“Qwarzo is an established leader in the development of new eco-friendly solutions, and as such, it represents a key partner for our group in the journey toward more sustainable products that comply with the latest European directives” said Stefano Carraro, Head of R&D, Product & Quality at Burgo Group.

FSC® and PEFC®-certified papers produced by Burgo and coated with Qwarzo® are already used in a wide range of industrial applications currently on the market: from coffee cups and stirrers to plates and thermoformed tableware, as well as plastic-free straws. New solutions are also being launched for food wrapping, luxury packaging, and wine labelling. The collaboration between Qwarzo and Burgo shows how innovation and shared vision can generate solutions that are better aligned with today’s market demands. In a regulatory environment increasingly focused on sustainability, this partnership sets a new benchmark for industrial sustainability, strengthens the Italian supply chains, and makes the circular economy a tangible reality.

Company Profile – Qwarzo

Qwarzo S.p.A. is an innovative Italian company, based in Brescia (Italy) focused on sustainable, high-performance alternatives to plastic coatings. Its flagship technology, a mineral-based silica coating, can be applied to paper, textiles, metals, and more — making them water, grease, and heat resistant without compromising recyclability or compostability.

Qwarzo® provides FSC® and PEFC®-certified paper with barrier properties while preventing chemical migration — an issue often seen in traditional plastic or PFAS-based coatings.

Website: www.qwarzo.com

Press Contact

media@qwarzo.com – Federica Ielapi federica@tellerspr.com – + 39 351 911 5900

Company Profile – Burgo

Burgo Group S.p.A. is among Europe’s foremost producers of communication papers, specialty papers, and corrugated board. Operating as a fully integrated paper ecosystem, the Group encompasses production, distribution, recycling, forest products, energy, and factoring.
Burgo is synonymous with quality, innovation, and sustainability, guided by a circular economy vision that permeates every stage of its production process. With 9 manufacturing sites in Italy, 1 in Belgium, and 12 continuous production lines, the Group serves markets such as print, publishing, converting, and packaging.

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