Paptic

Paptic gift bags / Source: Paptic

AsiaBeautyEuropeFlexibleFood & BeverageFood GradeLightweightMoisture BarrierNorth AmericaOceaniaPackagingPapticRecyclableSealableTextiles

WHAT WE SAY:

In the plastic vs paper packaging debate, plastic’s durability is often lodged as a reason to keep using it, despite its many negative impacts. Paptic could put an end to that argument.

Made from renewable wood fibres, Paptic is a paper-like material that has the recyclability and natural feedstocks of paper, but the versatility and high durability of plastic, throwing any pro-plastic arguments out the window. Made using unique foam forming technology, the material has the haptics of textiles and is currently used for everything from garment bags to gift wrap. It is an all-rounder that could replace plastic at almost every turn.

Paptic

WHAT IS PAPTIC?

Paptic is a paper-like, lightweight, durable packaging material made from more than 70% renewable wood-based fibres sourced from FSC-certified forests. It is designed to replace the use of plastic packaging, specifically plastic carrier bags, dry food packaging, garment bags and e-mailers.
Plastic-free, per the SUP Directive, the material is a mix of wood fibres and a proprietary blend of biobased man-made fibres. The latter is needed to create a fibre matrix that is tactile, has a high tear strength and is weldable, allowing it to truly compete with plastic.
Paptic is made using foam forming technology, a relatively new technology in the world of paper making. Foam forming sees aqueous foam used instead of water as a carrier medium. By simply adding air bubbles to water, longer fibres can be used, while manufacturers can better control the web structure of the final product too. This results in lower density structures with improved capabilities.
Paptic combines the best functionalities of paper, plastic and fabric into one material, offering flexibility, durability, strength, foldability without creasing, moisture resistance and full recyclability. Products made from Paptic are reusable multiple times, while being recyclable in the paper waste stream. Once used to their full potential within packaging, Paptic fibres can be recycled approximately seven times into new paper products.
The company claims that replacing 10,000 single-use bags with Paptic bags used 10 times equates to 2,700 kilograms less plastic, 5,430 kilograms less CO2 compared to plastic bags and 9,830 kilograms less CO2 compared to paper bags. However, it does not say how it reached these figures, so an LCA of your existing packaging versus Paptic would be necessary to calculate the precise impact reduction.
The suite of Paptic materials have numerous applications, including food packaging, e-commerce mailers, shopping bags, toy packaging, suit bags and reusable pouches.
Paptic has been delivered to over 40 countries to date.

KEY PROPERTIES:

Flexible
Food Grade
Lightweight
Moisture Barrier
Recyclable
Sealable

INDUSTRY:

Beauty
Food & Beverage
Packaging
Textiles

AVAILABILITY:

Mass Market

DIVE DEEPER:

Packaging production constitutes the highest-demanded use of plastic. In 2022, five trillion plastic bags will be used – 160,000 every single second – but less than 9% of plastic packaging is recycled.
Although paper recycling efficiency isn’t 100%, it is significantly higher than plastic. In the US, 68% of paper and paperboard is recycled compared to less than 5% of plastic. In Europe, paper recycling is 71.4% compared to a rate of 32.5% for plastic and in Asia plastic has an average 12% recycling rate, while paper recycling spans from 30-60%.
While classed as a paper, and recyclable as such, Paptic has a softer feel and finish, making for a unique consumer experience. It comes in a selection of grades, from 45 to 140GSM and can even be applied as a coating. Variations of Paptic include Paptic Apus Seal, a heat sealable packaging option; Paptic Sterna, which is designed for large quantities of carrier and gift bags; and Paptic Tringa, which has been developed specifically for the beauty industry and is sturdy enough to be made into wash bags, thanks to its non-woven durability.
As Paptic is sold in reels, existing paper production lines can also be used, with slight modifications, offering a cost-effective route into packaging conversion. It is also a cost-effective material. A candy bag made of Paptic is only EUR 0.5 (USD 0.53) more expensive than a plastic alternative.
All Paptic packaging is printable via the same printing methods as paper, including flexo, offset and inkjet.
Paptic, a Finnish company, states that “the majority” of its materials are tested and approved to be biodegradable under industrial composting conditions, according to EN 13432. It is unclear why not all products are approved.
All Paptic materials are produced in Europe and its manufacturing sites are certified to standards, including ISO 9001 quality management systems and ISO 14001 environmental management systems. Product certifications include FSC, OK biobased and ISEGA food contact.
Paptic’s sales network includes the US, the UK, China, UAE, India, New Zealand, Japan, France and Spain.
The company, which has three production sites, had a CAGR of 89% from 2019-2021, and experienced 2.5 times revenue growth for three consecutive years. It has a one billion revenue target for 2030.
Paptic’s clients include H&M, Jacob’s Creek, Fischertechnik, Decathlon Singapore, Stockmann and Wolford, for applications, including shopping bags, drawstring pouches, e-commerce mailers and toy packaging.
The company plans to start its first foam-based production facility in 2024 and aims to licence Paptic technology once its own scaled production is complete.

Familon’s Paptic pillow and quilt cases / Source: Paptic

Heat-sealed food packaging / Source: Paptic

KEY FACTS:

68%

In the US, 68% of paper and paperboard is recycled, compared to less than 5% of plastic.

2,700kg

Replacing 10,000 single-use bags with Paptic bags used 10 times, equates to 2,700 kilograms less plastic.

5 trillion

In 2022, five trillion plastic bags will be used – 160,000 every single second.

Key Questions to Ask:

What man-made fibres does Paptic use?

This innovative material is made possible by a patented secret ingredient. It is imperative to know what this is in order to determine the lasting environmental impact of your final product. While Paptic does not share this publicly, an NDA may ensure you can access all areas.

How can you encourage behaviour change?

Paptic is often a replacement for plastics, which are traditionally single-use. Can you take advantage of the printability of Paptic in order to imbue your packaging with a sense of quality that prompts reuse? Finnish department store chain Sokos enforced behaviour change in 2019 by replacing all plastic bags with Paptic bags. This reduced the sale of single-use bags by 70% and a study by the chain showed 96% of its consumers now perceive the brand more positively.

Can you trace your raw materials?

Certifications are not a silver bullet. Being able to trace your materials to source is important in ensuring responsible forestry and enshrining human rights. Give your consumers access to this sourcing information too, promoting transparency and garnering trust in the long run.

Which market are you catering to?

Those with higher paper recycling rates and access to recycling services and facilities will return higher carbon and resource savings, but regions on the lower end of the recycling spectrum should not be ignored. Could you be a leader in a space where recycling is yet to be a daily habit?

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Eco-warrior

MATERIAL

A lightweight packaging solution for the fragrance industry that brings glass and natural materials together.

The Fortune 500 packaging company making metals matter.

Flexi-Hex

MATERIAL

Innovative, honeycomb paper packaging that protects as well as plastic.

PaperFoam

MATERIAL

A bio-based, mass market packaging material that breaks down into compost.

Paptic

WHAT WE SAY:

In the plastic vs paper packaging debate, plastic’s durability is often lodged as a reason to keep using it, despite its many negative impacts. Paptic could put an end to that argument.

WHAT IS PAPTIC?

KEY PROPERTIES:

INDUSTRY:

AVAILABILITY:

Mass Market

DIVE DEEPER:

Packaging production constitutes the highest-demanded use of plastic. In 2022, five trillion plastic bags will be used – 160,000 every single second – but less than 9% of plastic packaging is recycled.

As Paptic is sold in reels, existing paper production lines can also be used, with slight modifications, offering a cost-effective route into packaging conversion. It is also a cost-effective material. A candy bag made of Paptic is only EUR 0.5 (USD 0.53) more expensive than a plastic alternative.

All Paptic packaging is printable via the same printing methods as paper, including flexo, offset and inkjet.

Paptic, a Finnish company, states that “the majority” of its materials are tested and approved to be biodegradable under industrial composting conditions, according to EN 13432. It is unclear why not all products are approved.

All Paptic materials are produced in Europe and its manufacturing sites are certified to standards, including ISO 9001 quality management systems and ISO 14001 environmental management systems. Product certifications include FSC, OK biobased and ISEGA food contact.

Paptic’s sales network includes the US, the UK, China, UAE, India, New Zealand, Japan, France and Spain.

The company, which has three production sites, had a CAGR of 89% from 2019-2021, and experienced 2.5 times revenue growth for three consecutive years. It has a one billion revenue target for 2030.

Paptic’s clients include H&M, Jacob’s Creek, Fischertechnik, Decathlon Singapore, Stockmann and Wolford, for applications, including shopping bags, drawstring pouches, e-commerce mailers and toy packaging.

The company plans to start its first foam-based production facility in 2024 and aims to licence Paptic technology once its own scaled production is complete.

KEY FACTS:

68%

2,700kg

5 trillion

Key Questions to Ask:

What man-made fibres does Paptic use?

How can you encourage behaviour change?

Can you trace your raw materials?

Which market are you catering to?

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: