Consortium Formed to Shift from Fossil-Based Plastic Packaging

To aid and speed up the shift from fossil-based plastic packaging, Sweden's Yangi has initiated a strategic research collaboration project with partners Holmen Iggesund, Solenis, Fiber-X, FutureLab & Partners AB, Duni Group, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Lund University, and a premium brand owner within the consumer goods segment.

Long Story, Cut Short
  • The project aims to establish a research collaboration around cellulose-based formable packaging.
  • The project is supported by BioInnovation, a strategic innovation programme financed by Vinnova, the Swedish Energy Agency, Formas, and the participating stakeholders.
  • The EU commission’s upcoming directive against single-use plastics will also affect the paper industry. This leads to a great need for new functional chemistry for cellulose-based packaging.
Cellulose-based packaging has the potential to replace 40 percent of all rigid plastic packaging, which corresponds to 1.8 million tons of material. This area is therefore of the highest relevance for the Swedish forest industry and the transition to a bio-based economy.
Relevant for Forests Cellulose-based packaging has the potential to replace 40% of all rigid plastic packaging, which corresponds to 1.8 million tonnes of material. This area is therefore of the highest relevance for the Swedish forest industry and the transition to a bio-based economy. David Mark / Pixabay

Swedish manufacturing technology provider Yangi has initiated a strategic research collaboration project to develop new barrier chemistry and methods for the formation of fibre-based packaging related to dry forming and wet-moulding technologies.

  • The consortium is represented by actors from the packaging value chain, including brand owners from Sweden and Europe, raw material and chemical suppliers, manufacturers, and technology developers for cellulose-based packaging for wet-moulding and dry forming.
  • The partners include Holmen Iggesund, Solenis, Fiber-X, FutureLab & Partners AB, Duni Group, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Lund University, and a premium brand owner within the consumer goods segment.
  • The project is supported by BioInnovation, a strategic innovation programme financed by Vinnova, the Swedish Energy Agency, Formas, and the participating stakeholders.
  • The project’s total budget is SEK 7.7 million and the project will run between May 2022 and February 2025.

Replacing single-use plastic: The aim of the project is to drive development work within the industry in order to achieve 100% bio-based packaging without losing product qualities that can satisfy the rising demand for:

  • Circularity, recyclability, and sustainability;
  • Resource efficiency;
  • Attractive design;
  • Formability;
  • Rigidity and 3D-format.

The Backdrop: The project aims to establish a research collaboration around cellulose-based formable packaging.

  • Cellulose-based packaging has the potential to replace 40% of all rigid plastic packaging, which corresponds to 1.8 million tonnes of material.
  • This area is therefore of the highest relevance for the Swedish forest industry and the transition to a bio-based economy.
  • The EU commission’s upcoming directive against single-use plastics will also affect the paper industry. This leads to a great need for new functional chemistry for cellulose-based packaging.
  • The project is expected to provide an in-depth understanding of how different processes affect the mechanical properties of both virgin and recycled cellulose fibres.
  • It will also develop new chemistry for wet and dry forming techniques to achieve 100% bio-based packaging solutions. This will develop two competitive packaging concepts that ensure a low footprint and optimised circularity without sacrificing product properties.
 
 
  • Dated posted: 12 October 2022
  • Last modified: 12 October 2022