STORA Enso and Pulpex have collaborated to industrialise the production of paper bottles and containers made from wood fiber pulp.
Pulpex, the sustainable packaging technology company established by Diageo and Pilot Lite, will utilise Stora Enso’s formed fiber technologies and ability to convert end-products at an industrial scale.
The partnership is aiming for large-scale industrial production of renewable and recyclable paper bottles and containers that degrade readily in the natural environment. Produced with sustainably sourced formed fiber pulp, the two firms said that bottles and containers would enable a significantly lower carbon footprint compared with glass or PET. A formed fiber product is manufactured by pressing various wood-based pulps into a three-dimensional shape in a moulding machine. The focus of the partnership now is on developing a high-speed production line which is expected to be operational in 2022.
Sohrab Kazemahvazi, SVP formed fiber at Stora Enso, said, “We see great potential in combining development skills of Pulpex with our industrial capabilities. This cooperation marks an important step in bringing to market a truly sustainable alternative to plastic bottles and containers, while offering end-user qualities that match those of traditional packaging in the beverage market.”
The duo said that the paper bottles will be produced for an ‘array’ of global brands across a variety of market applications – from home and personal care products to alcohol and liquid foods.
Scott Winston, director at Pulpex Limited, commented, “We are delighted to have Stora Enso involved with Pulpex and are looking forward to the tangible benefits of such a formidable collaboration that will undoubtedly help us over the coming months as we seek to make our new, high-speed production lines available to all our partners.”
