Plastic packaging materials such as fossil-based foams seem increasingly outdated in a society that is striving to reduce plastic usage and waste and move towards renewable materials. With regulatory bodies now driving a policy towards limiting or banning fossil-based foam materials in packaging, new solutions are needed.
Papira® by Stora Enso is a novel lightweight foam made from pulp fibers. The semi-rigid foam has a high cushioning performance and is suitable as protective packaging for a wide range of products. Papira can be designed and cut with precision for optimal size and protection, even for complex shapes and packaging sizes.
Papira offers a fully paper-recyclable and plastic free alternative to traditional fossil-based packaging foams, such as polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (PE) and expanded polystyrene (EPS). It is designed to be recycled as paper, but if Papira exits the circular material stream, it will biodegrade. Recycling of Papira is easy, and it allows the consumer to put the whole package in the same curbside collection bin.
The Papira pilot plant has been operational at Stora Enso’s Fors Mill since November 2021.The wood-based raw materials are sourced from sustainably managed forests in the Nordics and manufactured in a 100% fossil-free production process in which only air and water are used for foaming the material. No solvents, blowing agents or hazardous chemicals are used.
As a completely new material, Papira is currently being assessed to obtain certifications of recyclability and biodegradability. Furthermore, the environmental impact is being measured to quantify how Papira can improve the carbon footprint of packaging. The performance of Papira in packaging applications is tested in Stora Enso’s PackTester lab, an ISTA® certified test lab, to ensure product protection. Stora Enso’s ambition is to make Papira the new standard in protective packaging.
For more information go to www.storaenso.com.