Project Description

Eco-friendly consumers and tightening legislation are pushing takeaway food companies to consider alternatives to plastic containers. The EU is banning single-use plastic products starting with the most typical marine litter, such as straws and cutlery, in 2021. Member states will also have to find ways to reduce the use of plastic food containers and drinks cups. Various countries all over the world are planning to impose taxes on single-use plastics.

Project Evaluation

During 2020, Stora Enso started production in Sweden of ready-made formed fibre single-use packages. The products are produced directly from pulp using a thermoforming technology where pulp is pressed directly into its final shape. The raw material used is wood pulp from sustainably managed forests in Scandinavia. PureFiber™ by Stora Enso is Stora Enso’s next generation of formed fibre eco-products. The products can be made in almost any shape where today conventional PE, PET and other plastics are used. That means PureFiber™ can be used in a wide range of applications including single-use food packaging items such as plastic-free cups, bowls, clamshells, plates and coffee cup lids.

Project Purpose

These products promote food safety by having a transparent supply chain, offering plastic-free and PFAS-free products. They are produced in Sweden with 100% fossil-free electricity, using local sourcing of raw material, short transport routes of raw material and creation of job opportunities in Europe. Stora Enso’s PureFiber™ products can either be recycled or composted after use. A critically reviewed LCA study shows that the PureFiber™ product line enables an approximately 75% lower CO2 footprint compared to alternative packaging materials such as plastic or bagasse