January 22, 2026
Astral Pushes Technical Boundaries in Protein Packaging
New AstralCoat 1000 and AstralCoat 39 deliver advanced barrier performance, release properties, and recyclability—redefining sustainability and quality for corrugated packaging in the protein industry. Astral continues to innovate and expand its product portfolio to support every aspect of corrugated packaging—including the most demanding applications in the protein industry. With decades of industry expertise, Astral develops advanced coatings that deliver exceptional water resistance, precise release properties, and reliable performance across all processing environments. These solutions help packers and processors ensure that corrugated packaging performs consistently and sustainably, even under the most rigorous conditions. Among Astral’s latest technical achievements are AstralCoat 1000 and AstralCoat 39, two coatings designed to meet the unique challenges of the protein segment. AstralCoat 1000 is a high-performance barrier top coat engineered specifically for corrugated food packaging. It provides superior protection against moisture, grease, and vapor while delivering excellent surface release for smooth handling and easy separation in food-contact applications. Optimized for standard coating equipment, it ensures consistent laydown and film integrity without process adjustments. Fully recyclable and FDA-compliant, AstralCoat 1000 combines barrier performance, controlled release, and recyclability, making it an ideal solution for high-demand packaging. AstralCoat 39 is a unique top coat designed to overcome the challenges of corrugated sheets that are coated on both sides (C2S), ensuring precise sheet separation and eliminating coating transfer for cleaner, more consistent runs. Optimized for high-speed corrugated production, it is print-receptive and fully compatible with designated cold-set glues. FDA-compliant and fully recyclable, AstralCoat 39 blends performance, flexibility, and sustainability in a single advanced coating system. “Astral is proud and delighted to offer these products to the industry,” said Don Hoesl, Vice President of Astral. “Since protein packaging has commonly used wax in the past for barrier properties, these new products help ensure the recyclability that is so important for the corrugated industry. When combined with our industry-proven AstralCoat 235 as a base coat, we now have the ability to serve our customers with everything needed to succeed in the protein markets. Significant research and development effort was needed to create these products, and we are excited to help companies succeed in this demanding market segment.” With this portfolio expansion, Astral reinforces its commitment to technical excellence, innovation, and sustainability—empowering coaters, converters, and processors to achieve superior results while advancing the performance and recyclability of corrugated packaging in the protein industry. Don Hoesl brings nearly 40 years of experience in coatings for the paper and packaging industry, recognized for driving innovation, operational excellence, and global market growth. He has led large-scale operations, spearheaded product development initiatives, and advanced sustainable packaging solutions.
