Emballageteknik has helped Stora Enso adapt its wood-based Papira foam to transport Thorlabs Sweden’s sensitive optical and electronic equipment, combining renewable design with shock protection.
Stora Enso’s Papira is a lightweight, cellulose-based packaging foam. It is designed to be a recyclable and biodegradable alternative to fossil-based foam, and was previously nominated for a Sustainability Award.
Emballageteknik has applied smart design and application knowledge to engineer Papira for Thorlabs Sweden’s optical and electronic equipment – preventing shocks, dust, and contamination from impacting the products’ performance.
The foam is expected to cut down on fossil-based materials without compromising clean handling, shock protection, or packaging performance.
Apparently, Thorlabs Sweden’s products have already been shipped and received globally in adapted Papira packaging, and are said to arrive in ‘perfect’ condition.
“For us, protection and cleanliness are critical,” says Olle Rosenqvist, development manager at Thorlabs Sweden AB. “Papira has proven that a bio-based material can meet our technical requirements while supporting our sustainability ambitions.”
“This project shows what’s possible when material innovation and converting expertise come together,” says Lucas Pontén, Sustainability & Quality manager at Emballageteknik. “Papira performs well as shock protection and is a good bio-based alternative to traditional foam solutions.”
“This collaboration proves that bio-based materials can protect even the most sensitive technology,” adds Juulia Kuhlman, director, Business Development, New Fiber Products at Stora Enso. “Together with Emballageteknik and Thorlabs Sweden, we’re showing that sustainable packaging can deliver on industrial demands.”
Another recent development saw Krekelberg Flock Products and Flocktechniek upgrade Papira with a cellulose-based flock fibre surface. Reportedly made from biodegradable eucalyptus, the fibres are produced with water-based adhesives and Oeko-Tex-certified pigments, and are applied using Flocktechniek’s electrostatic fibre technology.
Stora Enso has also unveiled its Performa Lumi GC1 folding boxboard. This solution is designed to improve visual impact and material use for everyday beauty, personal care and healthcare packaging.
In other news, Ferment has led a seed round to help Pegasus Materials scale up its biobased materials for the electronics, data centre and aerospace industries. The products aim to improve how electronic connectors are designed and manufactured and bring new production-grade performance to 3D printing.
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