Medical kraft paper is a medical‑grade paper substrate used in hygienic and sterile packaging for medical devices and healthcare products. It combines high strength, controlled permeability, and cleanliness, making it suitable for packaging that must protect products from contamination throughout sterilization, transport, and storage.

Billerud’s medical kraft paper is specifically developed for healthcare applications using 100% fresh fibres and controlled production processes.

What problems does medical kraft paper solve for medical device manufacturers?

Medical kraft paper helps manufacturers:

• Maintain sterility and hygiene until point of use
• Protect devices against puncture, tearing, and contamination
• Ensure reliable sterilization performance
• Meet regulatory and packaging standard requirements
• Reduce environmental impact compared to fossil‑based packaging materials

These benefits are critical for both single‑use and reusable medical devices.

Billerud offers two main product families:

• Billerud SteriKraft® – medical paper with microbial barrier properties for sterile packaging
• Billerud MediKraft® – high‑purity medical paper for applications not requiring a microbial barrier

Both product families include several grades optimized for different packaging formats and converting needs.

Overview: https://www.billerud.com/products/packaging-materials/kraft-paper-medical

Choose SteriKraft® when you packaging must:

• Function as a sterile barrier system
• Withstand sterilization processes
• Maintain sterility for long shelf life

Choose MediKraft® when:

• A microbial barrier is not required
• Cleanliness, strength, and runnability are the main priorities
• The application is inner wrapping, gloves, dressings, or examination covers

Depending on the grade, Billerud medical kraft paper supports:

• Ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization
• Gamma irradiation
• Steam sterilization (selected SteriKraft® grades)

This versatility allows global manufacturers to standardize materials across multiple sterilization methods and markets.

In a validated packaging system, SteriKraft®:

• Allows sterilization media to penetrate the pack
• Maintains seal integrity
• Acts as a long‑term microbial barrier

These properties support compliance with international packaging standards such as ISO 11607 and EN 868.

Packaging made with Billerud SteriKraft® can maintain sterility for up to five years, depending on pack design, validation, and storage conditions. This long‑term performance supports global distribution and extended shelf‑life requirements.

Billerud’s authority in medical packaging is built on:

• 50+ years of experience in medical paper development
• Integrated production with full process control
• Inline contamination detection and traceability
• An internal bioburden laboratory
• Extensive third‑party testing and certification

This combination ensures consistent quality, safety, and reliability.

Safety is ensured through:

• Carefully selected raw materials
• Controlled and integrated mill production
• Continuous quality monitoring
• Bioburden analysis and cross‑selection sampling
• Full traceability from fibre to finished paper

These measures ensure medical paper that is pure, clean, and fit for healthcare use.

Yes. Billerud medical kraft paper is engineered for clean and consistent peel performance, particularly in pouches and reels. Seal behavior is optimized through material design and validated in cooperation with converters and brand owners.

Yes. Both SteriKraft® and MediKraft® offer excellent printability, supporting:

• Batch and lot information
• Product identification
• Regulatory symbols and branding

Print systems should always be validated for sterilization exposure and shelf life.

Billerud medical kraft paper is available in a wide range of grammages, including:

• SteriKraft®: typically 60–80 g/m²
• MediKraft®: approximately 25–50 g/m²

Grades are available for pouches, reels, rollstock, coatings, and direct‑seal applications.

Billerud combines medical safety with sustainability by:

• Using renewable primary fibres
• Producing paper with low CO₂ emissions
• Publishing third‑party verified EPDs
• Supporting customers’ sustainability targets without compromising performance

Read more: https://www.billerud.com/sustainability

Yes. Through its Medical Packaging Lab, Billerud provides:

• Material and grade recommendations
• Sealability and compatibility testing
• ISO 11607 / EN 868 testing
• Bioburden and ageing studies
• Film and coating compatibility advice

Services: https://www.billerud.com/products/packaging-materials/kraft-paper-medical/medical-packaging-lab

Choosing the right grade depends on:

• Sterilization method
• Microbial barrier requirements
• Packaging format and sealing technology
• Distribution conditions and shelf‑life targets

Billerud works closely with customers to ensure optimal material selection.
Start the conversation: https://www.billerud.com/medical-contact