The project’s focus is to develop knowledge and methods linked to barrier chemistry and the formation of fibre-based packaging to reach a 100% bio-based solution that meets the market’s demands for increased circularity, resource efficiency, attractive design, and formability.
The project consortium is represented by actors from the packaging value chain; Swedish and European brand owners, raw material suppliers, chemical suppliers, manufacturers, and technology developers of cellulose-based packaging for wet and dry forming.
The project aims to establish a research collaboration around cellulose-based formable packaging. The goal of the collaboration is to, through in-depth knowledge of the properties of the materials in combination with new barrier chemistry, create circular guidelines that can be used by brand owners and packaging manufacturers to choose the most suitable packaging solution fit for purpose. Without having to sacrifice function and durability and thereby accelerate the transition to renewable raw materials and exploit the full potential of fibre-based technologies.
Why this is important
Cellulose-based packaging has the potential to replace 40 percent of all rigid plastic packaging, which corresponds to 1.8 million tons of material. This area is therefore of the highest relevance for the Swedish forest industry and the transition to a bio-based economy. The EU commission’s upcoming directive against single-use plastics will also affect the paper industry. This leads to a great need for new functional chemistry for cellulose-based packaging.
Expected results
Through the research activities, the project is expected to provide an in-depth understanding of how different processes affect the mechanical properties of both virgin and recycled cellulose fibres. The project will also develop new chemistry for wet and dry forming techniques to achieve 100 percent bio-based packaging solutions. This will develop two competitive packaging concepts that ensure a low footprint and optimized circularity without sacrificing product properties.
Participants
Yangi, Holmen Iggesund Paperboard SA, Solenis, Fiber-X, FutureLab & Partners, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and LTH (Lund University Faculty of Engineering), Brand owners within various target segments.
Budget & time plan
The project’s total budget is 7,7 MSEK and the project runs for 2,5 years – between May 2022 and February 2025.