By [Hongliang,Zhang], Staff Reporter
September 15, 2025
As the EU's PPWR Regulation is set to fully restrict Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in food contact materials in 2026, and the U.S. FDA has already banned fluorinated oil-resistant agents in advance, a batch of greaseproof paper from China is emerging as a new choice for food enterprises worldwide. From hamburger liner paper for McDonald’s Asia-Pacific region to pastry packaging for high-end European bakery brands, Chinese greaseproof paper has initiated a new paradigm of "safety + environmental protection" in the global food packaging market, relying on international alignment of safety standards, breakthrough innovations in fluorine-free technology, and stable supply chain support.
The strict safety requirements of the global food packaging industry first test the compatibility of materials with international standards. Through "national standard upgrading + multi-system certification," China’s greaseproof paper industry has achieved "comprehensive compliance coverage" for major markets.
GB 4806.8-2022 National Food Safety Standard for Paper and Paperboard Materials and Products in Contact with Food, implemented in 2023, has achieved precise alignment with international standards in terms of key safety indicators. The newly added requirement of "no detection" for 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol and the limit standard of ≤12μg/L for 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol are technically consistent with the EU’s EC 10/2011 Regulation and the U.S. FDA 21CFR Part 176 Standard. This high standard is not just on paper: greaseproof paper produced by enterprises such as Qingdao Rongxin Industry and Trade has simultaneously obtained EU BRC Food Packaging Certification, U.S. FDA testing certification, and FSC Forest Certification. Its water-based coated greaseproof paper has been the designated product for McDonald’s and KFC in the Asia-Pacific region for three consecutive years.
"The test reports of Chinese products are fully ‘universal’ among European and American customers, which is the core reason for us to choose cooperation," noted Thomas Kohler, a European food packaging buyer. Chinese greaseproof paper can not only meet basic safety requirements but also provide customized testing for 18 indicators including heavy metals, microorganisms, and migration volume according to customer needs. This compliance flexibility is highly competitive in the global market. Data shows that in 2024, the export volume of China’s food-grade greaseproof paper increased by 27% year-on-year, with products holding triple international certifications accounting for over 60% of total exports, mainly flowing to high-regulation markets such as the EU and North America.
PFAS are known as "permanent chemicals," and their environmental accumulation risks have driven the world into the era of "fluorine-free oil resistance." Chinese enterprises have taken the lead in this field and become core solution providers in the international market.
The fluorine-free oil-resistant technology developed by Chinese enterprises completely abandons traditional fluorinated coatings. It uses bio-based active ingredients extracted from agricultural waste combined with paper fibers to form a dense barrier layer. Greaseproof paper produced with this technology has an oil resistance grade of KIT ≥ 6 and can withstand high temperatures of 220℃ for more than 4 hours. It not only meets the packaging needs of high-temperature fried foods such as fried chicken and French fries but also is suitable for microwave heating scenarios, solving the pain points of traditional fluorine-free alternatives such as "poor temperature resistance and short oil resistance duration." More importantly, it has obtained the U.S. USDA 100% Bio-based Certification and EU BPI Compostable Certification, and can be completely degraded in the natural environment within 90 days, perfectly complying with the European policy requirement of "zero landfill of packaging waste."
This technological advantage has been transformed into market competitiveness: in the first half of 2024, the order volume of fluorine-free greaseproof paper in the European market increased by 180% year-on-year, entering high-end bakery chains in Germany, France, and other countries. At the same time, the water-based coated fluorine-free greaseproof paper launched by Chinese enterprises is 30% cheaper than imported similar products, making it the first choice for "replacing plastic with paper" in emerging markets such as Southeast Asia and Latin America. The global market share of such products has increased from 12% in 2022 to 28% in 2024.
The international advantage of Chinese greaseproof paper is further reflected in its ability to accurately adapt to food consumption scenarios in different regions, providing customized solutions for both mass fast food and high-end catering.
In the fast food field, the 40gsm greaseproof paper customized by Chinese enterprises for McDonald’s, a well-known Western food chain, for hamburgers and fried chicken has optimized tear resistance and printing compatibility through special processes. It not only ensures no breakage during packaging but also clearly displays brand logos. Moreover, it shows no oil penetration in the 120℃ hot oil immersion test, fully meeting the high-frequency use needs of hamburgers and fried chicken. This product has been exported to the supply chains of the international fast-food chain in 12 countries, with an annual consumption of over 2,000 tons.
In the high-end food field, natural-colored fluorine-free greaseproof paper developed by Chinese enterprises has become a new packaging choice for European artisanal chocolate and premium cheese. This type of paper uses 100% imported softwood pulp, retains the natural fiber texture, and has obtained SGS certification for zero detection of fluorescent substances. It not only avoids the risk of chemical migration but also enhances the product premium through "simple aesthetics."
Chinese greaseproof paper also offers a composite functional version with "oil resistance + moisture resistance + antibacterial properties." By adding chitosan environmental additives, it inhibits the growth of coliform bacteria, ensuring that ready-to-eat foods such as sushi and salads remain fresh during cross-border transportation. Such products have accounted for 35% of the cross-border food packaging market in Japan and South Korea.
When international food enterprises select suppliers, they value not only the products themselves but also the stability and responsiveness of the supply chain. China’s greaseproof paper industry has built a full-chain support system covering "raw materials - production - logistics."
On the raw material side, leading enterprises have established FSC-certified forest bases to ensure stable supply of virgin wood pulp. At the same time, through the R&D of alternative raw materials such as bamboo pulp and cotton pulp, they have reduced reliance on a single resource. On the production side, large-scale industrial clusters have been formed in Guangdong, Jiangsu, and other regions, with a single factory’s annual production capacity reaching 50,000 tons. These clusters can quickly respond to customized needs ranging from 30mm narrow-width roll paper to 350×450mm large-format sheets, with the shortest order delivery cycle reduced to 7 days, far faster than the 15-20 days of European and American enterprises.
On the logistics side, relying on the China-Europe Railway Express and the Southeast Asian cross-border logistics network, Chinese greaseproof paper can achieve direct delivery in 21 days to Europe and 7 days to Southeast Asia. Combined with the bonded warehouse pre-stocking model, it effectively mitigates the risks of international logistics delays. "During the pandemic, Chinese suppliers were the only partners that could ensure we had sufficient inventory throughout the year," said a person in charge of a Brazilian fast-food chain at an industry forum, adding that the proportion of Chinese greaseproof paper in its procurement has increased from 30% to 70%.
From technological breakthroughs in laboratories to practical applications on global dining tables, Chinese greaseproof paper is reshaping the pattern of the global food packaging market with its core advantages of "safety compliance as the foundation, environmental innovation as the wing, and supply chain as the vein." Industry forecasts suggest that with the full implementation of the EU’s PFAS ban in 2026, the global market share of China’s fluorine-free greaseproof paper is expected to exceed 40%. In this "green packaging revolution," Chinese strength is becoming an important support for safeguarding global food safety.
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