Stora Enso has entered into a strategic collaboration with HS Manufacturing Group (HSMG), a producer of plant-based barrier coatings, to develop Stora Enso’s formed fiber offering. Stora Enso will leverage HSMG’s PROTĒAN™ technology for food contact packaging applications. The technology offers a biodegradable and recyclable additive that gives fiber-based packaging water-, grease- and oil-resistant properties.
Stora Enso will apply the PROTĒAN™ barrier technology to its renewable and recyclable PureFiberTM by Stora Enso product offering. The PureFiberTM technology from Stora Enso enables the manufacture of single-use products that are renewable, recyclable, biodegradable and plastic free. The PROTĒAN™ technology barrier coating can be applied to produce a wide range of high-quality cellulose-based paper products, including single-use food service items.
“The technology partnership paves the way for meeting the needs of customers and consumers looking for more eco-friendly solutions. Through this collaboration we can design next-generation barrier properties which allow us to tap into new application areas for plastic-free products,” says Sohrab Kazemahvazi, Vice President, Head of Formed Fiber at Stora Enso.
“Stora Enso’s respected leadership as a renewable materials company and outstanding reputation in product design and innovation provide a perfect opportunity to broaden the introduction of PROTĒAN™ as a sustainable alternative to legacy technologies,” says Samuel Mikail, Chairman of HSMG.
Earlier this year Stora Enso announced a EUR 5 million investment to build a new production line and related infrastructure to manufacture formed fiber products at Hylte Mill in Sweden. The formed fiber technology enables the manufacture of products that are designed for circularity, meaning that they are renewable, recyclable and biodegradable and do not contain any plastic. The products respond to the needs of eco-conscious consumers and producers looking for innovative alternatives to plastic. The first products will be available on the market at the beginning of 2020, targeting packaging for fast food restaurants.
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