PULPACKTION
Optimised moulded pulp for renewable packaging solutions
Project details
- Type of project
- Innovation Action - Demonstration
- Project focus
- Packaging
- Feedstock origin
- Agri-food wasteForestry waste
- Feedstock type
- BioplasticsCellulose
- Project period
- 1 October 2016 - 30 September 2021
- Status
- Completed
- CBE JU Contribution
- € 8 303 374,05
- Call identifier
- H2020-BBI-PPP-2015-02
Summary
The PULPACKTION project developed cellulose-based packaging solutions for the specific demands of the food and electronic packaging industries, reducing dependence on non-renewable fossil fuel-based plastics.
The PULPACKTION project took advantage of the flexibility in wet-moulding production of wood pulp-based materials. Biopolymers and other bio-based compounds were added to different types of wood pulp to tailor the final properties of the resulting wet-moulded materials.
To fulfil the barrier properties required for PULPACKTION’s specific packaging applications using a fully bio-based approach, new bio-based polymer blends were developed to make multilayer films, composites, and coatings that delivered 100% bio-based integral packaging with similar properties to existing fossil-based packaging. Additionally, 100% bio-based inks, together with specific QR codes, were used to implement a traceability system.
- Improve existing wood pulp wet moulded materials for tailored-to-purpose pulps.
- improve current technology of cellulose wet moulded productions.
- produce specific bio-based plastic materials to reach final product packaging and shelf-life requirements.
- Develop sustainable final packaging materials that can reach targeted sustainability indicators.
- Validate final packages in an industrial environment.
- Lower the energy consumption of the wet moulding process, reducing the weight of the bio-based packages by 20% compared to similar fossil-based solutions.
- To reduce CO2 emissions by more than 50% compared to competing fossil-based packaging solutions.
- To increase the competitiveness of the European pulp, board and paper-making industries.
- Demonstrated that the packaging fulfilled the requirements of the market in terms of process, quality, hygiene and barrier properties.
- Achieved the construction of a new factory in Sweden for Rottneros’ packaging, which, at full capacity, distributed moulded pulp trays to 4,700 retail outlets across seven countries, driven by positive market momentum and supportive legislation.
- Demonstrated the bio-based moulded fibre packaging's potential to tackle global environmental issues like plastic pollution and CO2 emissions.
- Achieved more than 50% CO2 emission reduction compared to a competing fossil-based packaging material.
- Rottneros Packaging announced the building of new factories in Sweden and, through a joint venture with Arctic Paper, Poland.
- By the end of the project, moulded pulp trays from different brand owners can be found at 4,700 retail outlets in seven countries today.
- Promoted European start-ups' potential investment in bio-based packaging, with consortium members supporting market and industry growth.
- Increased moulded pulp production in Europe reduces imports, enhancing sustainability and domestic industrial expertise.
Consortium map
Project coordination
- ROTTNEROS PACKAGING AB Soderhamn, Sweden
Consortium
- NOVAMONT SPA Novara, Italy
- ROTTNEROS AB SODERHAMN, Sweden
- INSTITUTO TECNOLOGICO DEL EMBALAJE, TRANSPORTE Y LOGISTICA Paterna, Spain
- BORREGAARD AS Sarpsborg, Norway
- TECNARO GESELLSCHAFT ZUR INDUSTRIELLEN ANWENDUNG NACHWACHSENDER ROHSTOFFE MBH Ilsfeld, Germany
- GENENCOR INTERNATIONAL BV OEGSTGEEST, Netherlands
- TOTALENERGIES CORBION BV Gorinchem, Netherlands
- RISE RESEARCH INSTITUTES OF SWEDEN AB Boras, Sweden
- KAO CHIMIGRAF SLU RUBI, Spain
- MI-PLAST DOO ZA PROIZVODNJU, TRGOVINU I PRUZANJE USLUGA Rijeka, Croatia
- IRIS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, SOCIEDAD LIMITADA CORNELLA DE LLOBREGAT, Spain
- RISE INNVENTIA AB Stockholm, Sweden
Former member
- PURAC BIOCHEM BV Gorinchem, Netherlands
- FUNBRICKS SL BARCELONA, Spain
