Helsinki-based paper manufacturer Stora Eno has developed UltraThinPE Tec, a new technology that will reduce the amount of plastic coating in foodservice board applications. In particular, the company says that the newly developed solution will allow for paper cup designs that use a total of less than 5% plastic.
The new technology is being targeted towards packaging converters, retailers, and brand-owners, who are either required to meet plastic reduction quotas or who would simply like to begin making more sustainable business choices on their own accord.
"By knowing the intended end-use of the product like paper cups that will hold liquid for a short time, we can design coatings that use the absolute minimum material necessary. We do this by testing and verifying the exact amount needed for the end-use," explained Tuomas Puonti, VP, head of business line LPB fresh & FSB.
Eco-Friendly Paper Cups
Stora Enso's Tech Allows for Paper Cup Designs with Than Less 5% Plastic
Trend Themes
1. Plastic-reduced Packaging - Stora Enso's UltraThinPE Tec allows for more sustainable paper cup designs with less than 5% plastic, providing a disruptive innovation opportunity for packaging converters, retailers, and brand-owners who want to meet plastic reduction quotas or make sustainable choices.
2. Sustainable Business Choices - Stora Enso's UltraThinPE Tec technology allows for more environmentally conscious paper cup designs, presenting a disruptive innovation opportunity for businesses looking to make more sustainable choices.
3. Minimizing Material Use - Stora Enso's design process of testing and verifying the exact amount of coating needed for end-use in paper cups provides a disruptive innovation opportunity for businesses to minimize material use in their products and packaging.
Industry Implications
1. Packaging - Stora Enso's UltraThinPE Tec technology offers a disruptive innovation opportunity for the packaging industry to produce more sustainable and plastic-reduced packaging products like paper cups.
2. Foodservice - The UltraThinPE Tec technology that allows for plastic-reduced paper cup designs presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the foodservice industry to make more sustainable product choices.
3. Retail - Stora Enso's UltraThinPE Tec technology offers an innovation opportunity for retailers to differentiate themselves by offering more eco-friendly packaging choices for their customers.