Meet PPWR legislation and consumer demand – with Wood Foam by Stora Enso

New legislation is on the horizon and the packaging industry hurries to find sustainable options – without compromising on protective qualities and performance. Across industries, companies relying on packaging are facing urgent and complex challenges. Plastic taxes, bans, the implementation of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), and the critical need to reduce carbon emissions are driving a major shift. The time for disruptive change is here and legislation is catching up.

New legislation coming up
The move away from fossil-based materials is no longer optional. It's becoming mandatory, with legislation gaining speed across markets. Here's what's coming:
√ Plastic must be recyclable
√ Plastic must be recycled at scale
√ Minimum levels of recycled content in packaging
√ Re-use targets for packaging

For companies involved in packaging and shipping, the carbon footprint of transportation is well known. Reducing the carbon footprint in every part of the value chain — including packaging — is becoming business-critical. Because of this, there is a rising demand for materials that are not only more sustainable, but also protective and high performing.

“As plastic taxes, bans, and extended producer responsibility fees rise, the need for viable alternatives will only grow — both from producers and consumers. Companies that aren’t proactive risk higher costs and increased administrative burdens.” Says Juulia Kuhlman Business Development Director Wood foam at Stora Enso.

High preforming sustainable options
At Stora Enso we are innovating in biomaterials, with decades of research and development on how to phase out fossils and find a sustainable alternative that doesn’t compromise on quality or performance. We have found that the solution is growing all around us – hiding in plain sight! And we are happy to show you what a tree can do.  If you’re already using recycled materials, that’s a great step. But there are even better strategies to consider.

“The implementation of PPWR will drive a strong move towards recycled content within the EU. However, limited supply in the secondary market means demand — and prices — will inevitably rise.” Says Juulia Kuhlman Business Development Director Wood foam at Stora Enso. Our renewable packaging innovations are helping phase out fossil-based expanded polystyrene (EPS)— a plastic that is notoriously difficult to recycle — by offering high-performance, more sustainable alternatives.

Wood Foam ready to replace polymer foam
Stora Enso Wood foam is a sustainable game changer in protective packaging – a recyclable alternative sourced from sustainably managed forests. Easy to fabricate and offering both flexible and rigid options. Fibrease^® is a bio-based, flexible and lightweight wood foam. Designed to replace fossil polymer foams in protective packaging, Fibrease^® offers thermal insulation and memory foam–like properties — all while being recyclable. Papira^® is a semi-rigid, wood-based foam made from renewable materials. The foam is recyclable with paper & board globally, biodegradable and plastic free. With excellent cushioning performance, Papira^® is ideal for protective packaging and is currently produced at our pilot plant. It offers a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic foams — reducing plastic waste and helping companies meet future regulations.

www.storaenso.com