The demand for sustainable packaging among consumers and brand owners all over the world is growing at an exponential rate, which in many cases drives the demand to replace plastic packaging. Strong partnerships are required to bring about the development and innovation needed to meet this demand. A good reason for Bosch Packaging Technology and BillerudKorsnäs to intensify their successful collaboration.
In 2016, Bosch and BillerudKorsnäs presented their first major joint innovation: Sealed Paper Packaging on a vertical form, fill and seal machine (VFFS). The ZAP module from Bosch makes it possible to process mono-material Axello® ZAP paper from BillerudKorsnäs on VFFS technology with dust-tight sealing. Now Bosch Packaging Technology and BillerudKorsnäs are developing new sustainable paper-based packaging innovations. Both companies are further strengthening their approach to work closely with partners along the value chain to find better solutions for a sustainable future.
“Developing sustainable packaging solutions is an urgent and challenging topic. New solutions must be sustainable and at the same time ensure efficient processing. By combining the expertise of BillerudKorsnäs in the field of paper-based packaging material with our technological know-how, we will be able to answer both challenges,” says Dr Stefan König, president of Bosch Packaging Technology.
“The collaboration with Bosch Packaging Technology offers new perspectives for sustainable packaging. Bosch brings many years of experience in technology and implementation into the cooperation. By joining forces, we can realise our ideas in a more targeted way and shape the future of packaging together,” says Petra Einarsson, president and CEO of BillerudKorsnäs.
Pearl: new paper-based packaging concept
The first concrete result of this enhanced collaboration is the development of a new packaging concept called Pearl. It aims to show how uniquely formed and right-sized small packages, called shaped paper pods, can contribute to a more sustainable future by utilising the unique formability of the FibreForm® material(3D-formable paper patented by BillerudKorsnäs). The material is processed on machinery from Bosch Packaging Technology, who not only contributes longstanding expertise in forming, filling and sealing of a wide variety of materials to the cooperation but also ensures the subsequent industrialisation of the newly developed technologies for commercial production.
In industries like beauty and personal care, bread spreads, savoury and confectionery, single-use plastic packaging is widespread. “The goal is to support these industries with a sustainable packaging system and replace plastic in product samples, inserts, refills, portion packs and disposable packaging,“ says Simon Johansson, project manager at Packaging Solutions BillerudKorsnäs. “We have already passed several milestones in the project,” Torsten Sauer, project manager sustainability at Bosch Packaging Technology adds. “Now we are inviting selected brand owners to join our journey towards a sustainable future.”
The Pearl concept will be shown for the first time at FOOMA (International food &technology exhibition) in Tokyo from July 9 to 12, 2019, booth 3C-34, south hall.Together with further sustainable packaging solutions and developments, the Pearl concept will also be exhibited at leading packaging trade shows such as FachPack (September 24 to 26, 2019 in Nuremberg, Germany), PackExpo (September, 23 to 25, 2019 in Las Vegas, USA) and interpack (May 7 to 13,2020 in Dusseldorf, Germany).
