# Grease-Resistant Food Papers Ahlstrom Launches Its Grease-Resistant Paper and Grease-Gard PRO By Adam Harrie | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-09-04 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grease-resistant-paper References: [packagingeurope](https://packagingeurope.com/news/ahlstrom-expands-grease-resistant-paper-portfolio-for-north-american-market/14654.article)  Ahlstrom introduced two new grease-resistant paper grades for North America, Grease-Gard PLUS and Grease-Gard PRO, expanding its portfolio for quick service restaurants and foodservice packaging. The papers are designed to help converters, distributors and brand owners select barrier performance based on specific application needs while maintaining reliable converting and printability. Grease-Gard PLUS combines grease resistance with enhanced water holdout and is positioned as a [recyclable alternative to wax-treated papers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paperseal-pressed) for wraps, bags and other moisture-exposed applications. Grease-Gard PRO is designed for applications requiring stronger grease resistance and heat retention, including hot sandwiches, burritos and [grab-and-go foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/power-prep-bags), and is positioned as a [paper-based alternative to traditional foil wraps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fiberbased-packaging) and bags. For operators and packagers, the new grades offer higher-performance paper options that can reduce reliance on wax-treated papers and aluminum while supporting food quality, packaging integrity and recyclability goals. Image Credit: Ahlstrom ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.2/10 - Popularity: 56% | Activity: 43% | Freshness: 88% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Inventions](https://www.trendhunter.com/inventions) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Recyclable Barrier Papers:** Advanced fiber-based coatings are creating premium packaging that preserves grease and moisture performance while reducing dependence on wax, foil and plastic laminates. - **Application-specific Food Wraps:** Packaging portfolios are shifting toward tailored barrier levels that match menu formats, enabling more efficient material selection for hot, oily and moisture-rich foods. - **Paper-based Heat Retention:** Thermal performance in recyclable paper wraps is emerging as a competitive differentiator for quick-service and grab-and-go food brands seeking fresher delivery experiences. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Foodservice Packaging:** New grease-resistant substrates give converters and brand owners alternatives that balance printability, food protection and sustainability requirements across high-volume restaurant formats. - **Quick-service Restaurants:** Menu operators gain access to packaging materials that support sandwich, burrito and wrap quality without relying as heavily on aluminum or wax-treated paper. - **Sustainable Materials:** Innovation in recyclable paper barriers is expanding the market for renewable packaging inputs that meet stricter performance standards in food-contact applications. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [High-Barrier Recyclable Paper Packs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prymat.md) - [Paper-Based Barrier Drink Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tetra-pak-and-sterilgarda-alimenti.md) - [Hardsized Cartonboard Applications](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Excellent-Top-Pure.md) - [Natural Polymer Coatings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heat-sealable-hydrophobic-coating.md) - [High-Barrier Paper Packaging Platform](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/highbarrier-paper.md) - [Collaborative Fiber-Based Food Trays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fiberbased-food-tray.md) - [Next-Gen Offset Inks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/resin-technology.md) - [Bio-Based Packaging Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paramelt.md) - [Recyclable High-Barrier Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sappi-paper-packaging.md)