Packaging company Stora Enso is on a mission to cut carbon and replace fossil-based products with bio-based alternatives. Having already developed an entire portfolio of fibrebased products, the company’s range is set to grow once more. Vice President Biofoams Juha Kiviranta laid out the company’s commitments and divulged the latest developments, during an in-depth interview with Inside Sustainability. Report by Imogen Ward.
ASa leader in its field and respected member of society, Stora Enso has developed a whole host of renewable materials by utilising its expertise in forest-based products.
“Our philosophy is that everything that’s made from fossil fuels can be made from a tree,” said Vice President Biofoams Juha Kiviranta. “And as one of the largest pri vate forest owners in the world, using this philosophy we have created some remarkable solutions in the packaging, biomaterials and wood products markets.”
Although the origins of Stora Enso can be traced all the way back to the 1200s (when it was in the copper mining
business), the company as we know it today dates back to 1998. Today, the company operates with a turnover of €9.4 billion, relying on a workforce of 20,000 employees across Europe, the Americas and Asia.
Over the last 26 years, Stora Enso successfully innovated the industry time and time again, designing solutions such as PureFiber, used to make packaging inserts and disposable crockery. The product was so successful it resulted in collaborations with major companies like Bosch – who
relied on Stora Enso’s ingenuity to replace the plastic packaging of its wiper blades.
The company has also developed a game changer in protective packaging.
Working with wood
Thinking outside the box, Stora Enso developed bio-based foam alternatives in response to the global demand for more sustainable packaging.
“Our foams are derived from wood,” explained Mr Kiviranta. “We successfully converted certified wood fibre into a
At Novapor, we are constantly seeking innovative materials that can transform the packaging industry. Our collaboration with Stora Enso on their products Papira and Fibrease reflects our commitment to sustainability and innovation. These materials stand out because they offer an eco-friendly alternative that not only provides reliable protection for products but also helps preserve natural resources.
We recognize the importance of reducing environmental impact, and working with Stora Enso aligns perfectly with our values. Papira and Fibrease are excellent examples of how innovation in material science can make a real difference in both packaging performance and sustainability. By integrating these advanced materials into our solutions, we empower our clients to meet their packaging needs while contributing to a greener future. This partnership allows us to offer packaging solutions that are both efficient and environmentally responsible, reinforcing our shared vision of a sustainable tomorrow
new form by mixing wood pulp with water, additives and air, before drying it with heat to produce a durable foam.”
Fibrease, one of the groundbreaking foams, pioneered the world of protective packaging and thermal insulation. Being bio-based and having high flexibility, this solution mimics the soft, memory-foam-like characteristics of PU-foam and provides the perfect level of lightweight cushioning for added protection.
“Fibrease is currently available on a small scale, as a demo product,” said Mr Kiviranta. “We are also in the midst of releasing a second wood foam.”
Papira, the company’s latest innovation, is currently being piloted for technology and with customers before its scale-up.
As the very cutting-edge of Tree Tech, Papira is bio-based and recyclable.
Where Fibrease is flexible, Papira is the perfect counterpart – offering excellent rigidity and strength, making it an ideal investment for protective packaging and thermal insulation. The wood foam has also won several awards including Best Packaging Innovation, Cellulose Fibre Innovation of the Year 2021 and German Packaging Award 2021.
A justified journey
The two foam solutions were designed to replace fossil fuel-based polymer foams, reduce customers’ carbon footprints and improve the circularity of packaging.
“Not only are these solutions great for the environment, but they have an optimised performance,” added Mr Kiviranta.
“This makes them a competitive option in several applications within the market.”
Stora Enso successfully developed the two foams over several years, with the aid and dedication of an entire value chain of companies and organisations.
“Our wood foams were inspired by a long journey of research and collaboration with universities, external technology partners and customers,” said Mr Kiviranta. “Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation, and we are genuinely so grateful for the aid that our value chain has provided.”
Of course, like all projects, the development of these wood foams did not come without its challenges. Frequent analysis and adaptations were necessary to ensure the reliability and durability of the products.
“The entire process has been quite challenging at times,” explained Mr Kiviranta.
“We had to make sure the technology was right and the science accurate. Additionally, deciphering how to meet the needs of the value chain was also crucial and, at times, difficult.
“Scalability was another aspect that needed careful consideration. Developing a large-scale industrial production of a labscale innovation takes a lot of engineering and collaboration. We completed extensive work with our customers and partners, in order to better learn and understand how to implement these new products in the best way possible.
“Inventing new products offers the opportunity to redesign incumbent solutions and enables companies to lower their CO 2 footprint.”
Featuring at FACHPACK
Stora Enso shared these innovations at this year’s FACHPACK exhibition, which took place on the 24th to 26th of September, in Nuremberg. Whilst at the exhibition, the company showcased the new foams to current and potential customers alike – demonstrating their full capabilities.
“Events like FACHPACK provides the perfect opportunity for potential customers to interact with our products,” said Mr Kiviranta. “We want them to touch the materials, talk about them and share how the products can work for their needs. It is also the perfect opportunity for people to learn more about the foams: to better understand how they work.
“FACHPACK, in particular, is such an important event, not only for showcasing our products but also for listening, learning and creating dialogues to bring the industry closer together.”
Stora Enso showcased a number of different products from its portfolio, in order to draw awareness to its offering and its overarching goal of creating a greener, cleaner packaging industry.
“As a company, Stora Enso is driven by the desire to have a tangible and meaningful impact on the packaging that we, as consumers, use every day,” said Mr Kiviranta, in conclusion. “We intend to continue designing and developing new innovations that make a difference and inspire real change, because there is no greater feeling than being able to work on something that is going to have real impact on businesses across Europe and consumers alike.
“If anyone would like to know more about our products and our ethos, they can contact us directly or find us at a trade show. We can’t wait to meet you all!” n