Engineered Natural Materials
in Packaging Applications

Motivated by sustainability arguments, not the least, but also by cost, there is a great potential for materials from wood fibers to replace plastic in many packaging applications. For ultimate success, however, paper exhibits disadvantages that today seriously limit this potential, one being limited formability.
In this presentation, methods for forming 3D paper packaging structures are discussed. In particular, the deformation and damage mechanisms involved in the forming operations are analyzed, and how they relate to fibre network properties in developing new packaging structures.

Sustainable food packaging and the holistic, environmentally friendly use of organic materials are a key challenge of our generation that requires innovative and bold solutions. Therefore, companies need to start considering the life cycle of their products from start to finish. For BIO-LUTIONS this holistic approach on packaging solutions begins with our patented fibcro® natural fibres, which are mechanically converted from agricultural residues. This gives  previously overlooked natural resources a new value. Through regional and diversified raw material sourcing, BIO-LUTIONS makes itself more independent of market fluctuations and international supply chains. Our products are manufactured using the innovative, resource-efficient dry moulding process. Finally, the biodegradability and recyclability of our packaging solutions closes the gap to a true circular economy.

Plastic packaging based on fossil polymers are commonly used for consumer goods due to their good chemical and mechanical characteristics. However, the manufacturing of these products consumes non-renewable resources and only a small portion is recyclable. In recent years biopolymer-based products have become of considerable interest as environmentally friendly alternatives. The use of wood-plastic-composite (WPC) materials based on biopolymers allows us to offer products fully made from renewable resources. This material is a sustainable alternative for a wide range of fossil-based products as shown by our pilot product, the wooden coffee capsule.

In this presentation, the challenges in the development of new applications for the cosmetics and agricultural industry that are competitive to conventional plastic products will be focused.

We all know that the industry needs to change. We all understand that the packaging solutions of today will not sustain us tomorrow. If the industries keep producing plastic at the current rate, the CO2 emissions will double by 2050 to 85 million tons, of which 60% comes from the plastic packaging industry. Also, the world is facing water shortages like never before. It is time for action. It is time for more sustainable packaging alternatives that fit into existing recycling systems.​
Designed to meet circular principles, Yangi® is a turn-key manufacturing technology for cellulose-based packaging based on dry forming principles, enabling a cost- and resource-efficient solution. This presentation will: ​

• Outline key environmental benefits of dry forming technology and explain why this new technology is so disruptive
• Share the current applications, limitations, and challenges of dry forming technology
• Look at how the dry forming process differs from other sustainable packaging solutions currently on the market
• Provide more insights on how partners in the entire packaging value chain can accelerate innovation for a more sustainable future

Clip-Lok has globally for more than 35 years manufactured and sold tailor-made industrial, re-usable wooden packaging to the automotive industry, defense, defense contractors and industry in general. In the presentation we will discuss the decision making on type of packaging, the environmental impact of packaging (plywood, OSB (Orientated Strand Board), plastic and steel) as well as the elements in calculating the ROI on re-use of packaging of large and/or expensive industrial and consumer products.