Stora Enso recently announced the launch of a new product portfolio: Fibrease and Papira, a fully recyclable bio-based foam made from wood for cushioning and insulating packaging used to protect and insulate goods in e-commerce and cold chain logistics. One of the new product portfolio, Fibrease, is made of up to 98% renewable materials and is designed to replace petroleum-based polyurethane (PU) foam and polystyrene as a solution based on bio-based packaging.
According to Stora Enso, the product Fibrease has memory foam-like properties and can be manufactured using different foam cutting techniques and thermoforming. The company claims that Fibrease has high insulation capacity and is suitable for insulated packaging, including goods sales and medical transport, adding that the foam can be recycled in the paper and cardboard stream after use. Papira, the second packaging foam in Stora Enso's new portfolio, is a biodegradable material designed to provide a plastic-free alternative to polymer foams such as polyethylene (PE), as well as PU and polystyrene, and can be manufactured using different foam cutting techniques and lamination.
In addition, the company says Papira is strong and flexible, thus providing a high degree of shock protection. It is said to be suitable for protecting fragile, sensitive and high-value consumer products, such as electronics and industrial appliances.
Stora Enso claims that its new lightweight, certified wood-based foam meets the need for renewable and rounded cushioning materials in inner packaging. It adds that fossil-based packaging contributes to pollution, accounting for 40% of the world's plastics - a challenge the company is seeking to address with its new product portfolio.
Today's consumers are striving to reduce the use of plastics and maximize recyclability," said Markus Mannström, executive vice president of Stora Enso Biomaterials. At the same time, the need for packaging protection is increasing due to the growing demand for e-commerce and cold chain logistics. With our bio-based foams, we help our customers create environmentally friendly and recycled packaging solutions while meeting the material performance needs to protect and isolate goods."
