Metal Detectable, Tear Resistant Paper and RFID/NFC Protection – One Specialty Paper Program
ENDURO MD SHIELD
ENDURO MD SHIELD is a tear-resistant, universally printable specialty paper with two built-in protection functions – metal detectable for safe food production, and RFID/NFC shielding for sensitive data. To protect and to detect.
What is ENDURO MD SHIELD?
ENDURO MD SHIELD is a specialty paper by Sihl incorporating metal detectable particles in its inner layer, with an additional RFID/NFC shielding function. The material is tear-resistant, compatible with all common printing processes, and meets the requirements of food and pharmaceutical manufacturing as well as the security-critical specifications of government agencies and high-security environments. Metal detectable labels and tags made from ENDURO MD SHIELD reliably trigger metal detectors on production lines; as an RFID blocking material, it prevents unauthorized reading of sensitive data.
Metal Detectable Labels and Tags for Safe Food Production
Paper, board and label fragments entering the food supply chain represent a serious quality and liability risk. ENDURO MD SHIELD eliminates that risk at the source: metal detectable labels and tags are recognized by inline metal detectors as reliably as metallic foreign bodies – regardless of whether the label is still attached to the product, lying on the belt, or enclosed in the packaging.
Metal detectable tags made from ENDURO MD SHIELD accompany meat, baked goods, and frozen products throughout the entire production process. Their high tear resistance makes them suitable for demanding conditions – moisture, temperature fluctuations, and mechanical stress. Full traceability is guaranteed at every stage.
A “Declaration of Compliance” can be issued for ENDURO MD SHIELD products, thereby guaranteeing their approval for use in contact with food. Grade 6917 (ENDURO MD SHIELD 185 OBF) is OBA-free and suitable for FDA-regulated environments.
Industries served:
- Large-scale bakeries
- Meat processing
- Ready meals / Cook & Chill
- Dairy
- Pet food production
- Pharmaceutical and chemical industry
RFID Blocking Material: Reliably Shielding Data from Unauthorized Reading
Contactless cards, passports, and security documents communicate via RFID and NFC – and are therefore inherently vulnerable to skimming and relay attacks. ENDURO MD SHIELD counters this risk: the integrated Shield-Core reduces the read range at 13.56 MHz from several centimeters to just a few millimeters, making unauthorized data capture practically impossible in everyday use.
As an RFID blocking material, ENDURO MD SHIELD is suited for protective sleeves, security wallets, ID card holders, and document protection packaging – wherever sensitive data must be secured against electronic eavesdropping. The shielding effectiveness has been tested and validated at 13.56 MHz, the standard operating frequency of current RFID and NFC systems.
Industries served:
- Public administration: ministries, law enforcement, judiciary, embassy
- High security: financial sector, banknotes, computer services, aerospace
Grades and Technical Specifications at a Glance
Which grade is right for which application? The table below shows all four grades with their core data – from basis weight and caliper to compatible printing processes. Grade 7038 is the recommended choice for thermal direct printing (phenol-free); grade 6917 is ideal for security printing with UV inks (OBA-free). Grade 6821 is the lightweight option for standard labels, while grade 6918 delivers the highest strength for demanding logistics tags.
| Grade | g/m² | µm | Offset | Flexo | Thermal transfer | Thermal direct |
| 6821 – ENDURO MD SHIELD 155 | 160 | 145 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - |
| 6917 – ENDURO MD SHIELD 185 OBF | 167 | 207 | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | ✓ | - |
| 7038 – ENDURO MD SHIELD THERMAL 185 | 185 | 173 | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ |
| 6918 – ENDURO MD SHIELD 245 | 240 | 230 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - |
All values are average values.
(1) Grade 6917 features an OBA-free surface and can therefore be printed with security inks that are only visible under UV/black light.
Printing and Finishing Options: Offset, Flexo, Thermal and Security Printing
ENDURO MD SHIELD is compatible with all common printing processes – a decisive advantage over synthetic alternatives that often require specialized equipment.
Offset and flexo printing are available for all four grades, enabling high-quality multicolor decoration. Thermal transfer printing delivers sharp barcodes and text on grades 6821, 6917, and 6918. Grade 7038 (ENDURO MD SHIELD THERMAL 185) is specifically designed for thermal direct printing – phenol-free and particularly sustainable.
Grade 6917 features an OBA-free surface, making it the first choice for security printing with UV inks: security features visible only under UV/black light can be applied directly to the label surface – ideal for high-security applications in government agencies, financial institutions, and aerospace.
V.I.P. Printing (Variable Image Printing) enables individual personalization of each label or tag in a single print run – serial numbers, QR codes, and personal data can be produced cost-effectively even in short runs.
In terms of converting, ENDURO MD SHIELD impresses with excellent lay-flat properties and easy processability: the paper can be folded, scored, and glued without compromising its protective function – a clear advantage for label and tag manufacturing.
Key Benefits of Metal Detectable Papers
High tear resistance:
Reliable identification and traceability even under demanding production conditions.
Excellent lay-flat, easy to convert:
Fold, score, and glue without loss of function.
Temperature resistance:
Suitable for chilled, frozen, and heat-treated environments.
Universal printability:
Offset, flexo, thermal transfer, and thermal direct (grade 7038).
Effective data shielding via Shield-Core:
RFID/NFC protection at 13.56 MHz (Section B).
Declaration of Compliance:
For food contact available.
Grade 6917:
OBA-free, suitable for FDA applications and security printing with UV inks.
Sustainable Metal Detectable Papers: FSC™ Mix Credit Certified, Phenol-Free, Resource-Efficient
Sustainability has become a decisive factor in B2B procurement. ENDURO MD SHIELD is built on paper – a renewable raw material – and minimizes the use of synthetic components without compromising performance.
All grades carry FSC™ Mix Credit certification (FSC C005732), documenting responsible forest management throughout the supply chain. Grade 7038 (ENDURO MD SHIELD THERMAL 185) is phenol-free – a relevant criterion for organizations subject to strict internal or regulatory requirements on chemical substances. Grade 6917 is OBA-free (free of optical brightening agents), meeting additional purity requirements for FDA and food contact applications.
With ENDURO MD SHIELD, you choose a specialty material that combines protective performance with environmental responsibility – without compromise on tear resistance, print quality, or detectability.
Frequently Asked Questions about Metal Detectable Paper and RFID Protection
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What is metal detectable paper?
Metal detectable paper contains a metal-infused inner layer that is reliably detected by inline metal detectors in food production – even when the label or tag comes into direct contact with the product or is enclosed in packaging. This allows paper fragments to be safely ejected from the production line.
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How does RFID blocking material work?
RFID blocking material shields the resonant circuit of the transponder and reduces the effective read range from several centimeters to just a few millimeters – making unauthorized data capture in everyday situations virtually impossible. ENDURO MD SHIELD has been tested and proven effective at the standard RFID/NFC frequency of 13.56 MHz.
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Is ENDURO MD SHIELD food-safe?
A Declaration of Compliance for food contact is available for all grades. Grade 6917 (ENDURO MD SHIELD 185 OBF) is additionally OBA-free and suitable for FDA-regulated applications.
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Which grade is right for which application?
Grade 7038 is recommended for thermal direct printing (phenol-free), grade 6917 for security printing with UV inks (OBA-free, FDA-suitable), grade 6821 as the lightweight standard option, and grade 6918 for the most demanding logistics applications. The grade overview table above provides a complete breakdown by printing process and technical specifications.
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At which frequency does the RFID shielding work?
The shielding effectiveness of ENDURO MD SHIELD has been tested and documented at 13.56 MHz – the standard frequency for RFID and NFC systems in contactless cards, passports, and security documents.
