Many worry about package littering in the oceans. We see how the root of the problem is close to home; on the store shelf, in your grocery bag and kitchen pantry. That’s why Paboco is making a paper bottle.
Started in 2019, Paboco (Paper Bottle Company) is a joint venture between paper packaging material developer BillerudKorsnäs and bottle manufacturing specialist Alpla. Grown from the start-up and innovation expert EcoXpac.
Located in Slangerup, close to Copenhagen, Paboco, has decided to take action and become part of the solution – by designing for circularity using renewable materials. The paper bottle project is an innovation community joining some of the world’s leading players in materials, design and technology; united by the vision to create the world’s first 100% bio-based and recyclable paper bottle.
These paper bottles, made out of a plant-based polymer called “PEF,” are expected to be fully recyclable and to naturally degrade within a year, unlike their plastic counterparts. The sustainability company which creates these bottles hopes to have them ready for consumer use by 2023.
From your favourite soda to your sun lotion, this will provide consumers with better environmental choices. And, although innovation is a step-by-step process, without a guaranteed result, Paboco aims to place a paper bottle in every hand.
The project was started by Danish innovation company EcoXpac in 2010, with the Carlsberg Group joining in 2015 to initiate the “The green fibre bottle”, a project where Carlsberg and EcoXpac were collaborating on a first paper bottle prototype based on recycled fibres. In parallel, BillerudKorsnäs was also in the process of exploring the possibilities of another paper bottle product.
Evidently, the three companies had assumed a similar challenge, which soon led to a joint innovation platform. EcoXpac had competence in pulp moulding and tool manufacturing, but needed support on fibre technology, stock preparation, paper making, barriers, upscaling, market opportunities etc.
As the project progressed, BillerudKorsnäs became a majority shareholder in EcoXpac. A partnership discussion with bottle manufacturer Alpla was initiated, which ultimately led to the decision to continue the project in a new company suit now called Paboco, launched in 2019.
BillerudKorsnäs and Alpla share the ambition to drive packaging innovation in a sustainable direction. They now own equal shares in our company. A minority share is held by Jesper Servé Holding representing the founder family.
Key:
01. A bio-based barrier that withstands both water vapour and oxygen transmission. Use of materials that encourage recycling and in the future designed to degrade harmlessly if accidentally put in nature.
02. A robust efficient production process with significant output that is both commercially and sustainably attractive.
03. Digital direct printing of sustainable ink or laser engraving to minimize material usage.
04. A proprietary bottle base technology that uses the fibre properties to stay intact when exposed to high pressure.
05. A tethered cap made from either a bio composite or just pure paper.
06. A fiber blend – sustainably sourced strong Nordic fibers developed to hold carbonated beverages and still look beautiful.
07. Pulp 3D moulding of wood based fibres with amazing design details and accuracy showing the beauty of paper.
08. Mobile connectivity to engage consumers to understand and ensure an afterlife.
Pioneering packaging
Imagine that all plastic packaging in your store one day has disappeared, and eventually all glass bottles and metal cans. That all packages are made of renewable materials that can be recycled or returned to nature without harm. The paper bottle is targeting a wide range of brands and liquid-based contents. It will be not only a pioneering packaging solution for various liquids but also the first of its kind to handle carbonated beverages. A major challenge in the existing, mature and efficient market is the scaling of the technology to enable manufacturing of large quantities of paper bottles.
The first-generation concept will be partly renewable and fully recyclable, but it is the next and following paper bottle generations barriers that will create a truly sustainable alternative. The historic brewery, Carlsberg, has been a long-time partner of the Paper Bottle Project and explained in a press release, “We are working on developing the world’s first ‘paper’ beer bottle made from sustainably-sourced wood fibers that is both 100% bio-based and fully recyclable.” Shortly after, the brewing company unveiled its first paper bottle for their Pilsner beer as proof of concept on their social media sites.
Responsible Forestry
- Paboco is using strong wood fibres from sustainable well managed forests.
- Thanks to continuous replanting, there are more trees growing in this region today than 100 years ago.
- For every tree harvested two to three are planted and allowed to grow to an optimal size.
- The capacity of trees to capture carbon dioxide changes over time. Newly planted trees assimilate only small volumes of carbon dioxide – but their capacity then starts to increase dramatically.
- Growing trees bind more carbon dioxide than older trees. When the forest has finished growing, the net uptake of carbon dioxide is zero until the new forest is planted and starts to grow again.
- Active and responsible forestry therefore play a key role in combating climate change.
Source: paboco.com
