https://www.packagingstrategies.com/articles/104379-goodbye-to-single-use-plastic

2023 was abundant with packaging innovations, including when it comes to one of the most ubiquitous packaging options of all: bottles.

One key initiative has been to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles in food, drink, consumer health and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industries. To accomplish this, PulPac has teamed up with PA Consulting Group to launch The Bottle Collective, which will use PulPac’s patented Dry Molded Fiber as an alternative to plastic bottle packaging.

Meanwhile, CelluComp and RyPax have teamed up to offer their own fiber-based bottling solutions. One involves a novel pulp fiber made of a proprietary cellulose product (Curran®), bamboo and bagasse. The material can be applied as a thin, impermeable coating to the bottle’s interior, eliminating the need for a plastic liner.

Not to be outdone, Paboco (The Paper Bottle Company), plans to produce a fully recyclable paper bottle at a new state-of-the-art manufacturing site in Denmark starting in late 2024.

Read more about these companies at the forefront of developing sustainable alternatives to plastic bottles.

PulPac and PA Consulting Partner to Launch The Bottle Collective

PulPac, a leading developer and provider of groundbreaking manufacturing technology for low-cost, high-performance fiber-based packaging and single-use products, has partnered with PA Consulting Group to launch a new initiative that will help minimize the use of single-use plastic bottles in food, drink, consumer health, and FMCG industries.

CelluComp and RyPax Debuted All-Fiber Bottle at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

After years of perfecting its propriety microfibrillated cellulose product, Curran®, made from the waste stream of root vegetables, Scottish-based CelluComp, and Asia-based molded fiber packaging production firm, RyPax, are pushing the industry forward by combining precision plant-based packaging production with a highly renewable feed stock ingredient to crack the code on the all-fiber bottle.

The revolutionary step the two independent businesses took was developing a novel pulp fiber made with a mix of Curran®, bamboo and bagasse. This material is extremely strong with minimal porosity and allows the application of a thin, impermeable coating to the bottle’s interior, which allows manufacturers to take the next important step in environmental packaging by eliminating the need for a plastic liner.

“Integrating RyPax’s and CelluComp’s proven technology, materials and production expertise to produce the industry’s first all-fiber bottle at scale is a major evolution for the industry,” said Christian Kemp-Griffin, CEO of CelluComp. “Our unique capabilities and entrepreneurial approach, including establishing a Minnesota-based Public Benefit Corp. to better serve U.S. operations, has finally produced a design most packaged goods companies, and their consumers, have been longing for.”

Denmark's Paboco to produce fully recyclable paper bottles at new facility in 2024

Paboco develops bio-based packaging solutions made from pulp. The Danish joint venture was founded in 2019 by ALPLA and pulp and paper manufacturer Billerud.

ALPLA is now taking over Billerud’s shares and, as majority shareholder, is investing in scaling up manufacturing capacity. From the end of 2024, Paboco plans to produce a fully recyclable paper bottle at a new state-of-the-art manufacturing site in Denmark.

Paboco (The Paper Bottle Company) develops and produces fiber-based packaging solutions using innovative pulp-forming technology. The company was founded in 2019 by ALPLA and Billerud as a joint venture. By taking over all of Billerud’s shares and investing in Paboco, ALPLA is pushing the rapid industrialization of the fully recyclable paper bottle made from FSC-certified fibers.

“Safety, affordability and sustainability are the central criteria of our packaging solutions. After several years of intensive development and groundbreaking innovations, the Paboco team is now ready to take its pioneering product to the market and establish the paper bottle as a sustainable alternative for a wide range of customers,” says ALPLA CEO Philipp Lehner.

Successful test phase

Since 2021, Paboco has been testing the first products on the market together with the Paboco Pioneer Community members: The Absolut Company, Carlsberg Group, The Coca-Cola Company, L’Oréal and Procter & Gamble. After the successful test phase, series production of the next generation of recyclable paper bottles is scheduled to start at the end of 2024.

Tim Silbermann, CEO of Paboco, said, “The vision of the fully bio-based and recyclable paper bottle has driven the team to create amazing results in just a short development period. With the bottle configuration now, we are targeting the beauty and fabric and home-care segment, but continuous development will also enable us to bring our next-generation bottle into further applications. We are happy that ALPLA is fully committed to supporting us on this journey.”

For the market launch, the company plans to set up a new state-of-the-art manufacturing site and development center in Denmark. There are currently 18 employees at Paboco. That number is expected to increase significantly by the time series production begins.

The share transaction took place at the beginning of October. The contracting parties agreed not to disclose the details.