PureFiber

Stora Enso’s PureFiber lid / Source: Stora Enso

AsiaCompostableEuropeFood & BeverageFood GradeFreezer SafeLeak ProofLow-CarbonMicrowave SafeMoisture BarrierMoulded FibreNorth AmericaOil ResistantOven SafePackagingPureFiberRecyclableRigidSouth America

WHAT WE SAY:

There is a huge range of moulded fibre out there, ranging from cheap, low quality and not-especially-sustainable, right up to high definition, ultra-premium fibre products.

Stora Enso’s PureFiber sits in the middle. Responsibly produced to European standards, it is a solid choice for those looking for a reliable, scaleable, plastic-free alternative for food packaging.

PureFiber

WHAT IS PUREFIBER?

Launched in 2020, PureFiber is Stora Enso’s branded Moulded Fibre solution, designed to replace single-use plastics in the food packaging, agricultural and retail sectors.
It is produced from traceable FSC and PEFC wood pulp, sourced from Stora Enso’s owned and managed forests in Sweden and Finland.
It is certified as food contact safe, plus plastic and PFAS-free.
Stora Enso’s own LCA reports, unsurprisingly, that its PureFiber products have a CO2 footprint that is approximately 75% lower, when compared to alternatives, such as plastic or Bagasse pulp.
The company produces over 100 million PureFiber products a year.

KEY PROPERTIES:

Compostable
Food Grade
Freezer Safe
Leak Proof
Low-Carbon
Microwave Safe
Moisture Barrier
Oil Resistant
Oven Safe
Recyclable
Rigid

INDUSTRY:

Food & Beverage
Packaging

AVAILABILITY:

Mass Market

DIVE DEEPER:

A Deloitte survey of 2,000 UK adult consumers in 2021 shows that the production of sustainable packaging and adoption of circular practices is seen as one of the most valuable practices brands can do today.
Based in Sweden and Finland, Stora Enso had revenues of EUR 10.2 billion (USD 10.2 billion) in 2021, and employs 22,000 employees. The company’s mission is to provide low-carbon, renewable materials that replace products made by fossil fuels.
PureFiber can be used for any shape where conventional PE, PET and other plastics are being used. It can be used for a wide range of applications, including single-use food packaging items, such as plastic-free cups, bowls, clamshells, plates and coffee cup lids.
Stora Enso uses HSMG’s Protēan - a plant-based, certified compostable formulation - as its barrier coating additive to add water and grease resistance to PureFiber products.
In February 2022, Stora Enso announced it was investing EUR 8 million (USD 7.8 million) in its Swedish moulded fibre production facilities, doubling its capacity to 115 million units per year. The company also has production facilities in China.
The company reports that its low CO2 footprint is in part due to its use of low-carbon energy to power the forming process, although further details are not given.
PureFiber products are recyclable in the paper waste stream.
Stora Enso is also a leading partner in the Pulpex consortium, working to produce a paper-based bottle for its brand partners, which include Diageo, Kraft Heinz and Estée Lauder.

Stora Enso’s formed fibre food containers / Source: Stora Enso

Stora Enso’s formed fibre salad bowl lids / Source: Stora Enso

KEY FACTS:

75%

PureFiber products have a CO2 footprint that is approximately 75% lower than plastic or bagasse pulp.

115 million units

Stora Enso is investing USD 7.8 million in its Swedish moulded fibre production facilities, doubling its capacity to 115 million units per year.

1 million

Plastic bottles are produced every minute.

Key Questions to Ask:

What effluents are produced during the production process?

PureFiber is produced from chemical pulps and chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP), pressed into the desired shape. While this is a relatively conventional way to produce moulded fibre, it uses sulfites which can pollute the environment if not responsibly managed. Alternatives, such as Pulpac’s Dry Molded Fiber promise greater speed combined with reduced energy and water inputs. You should consider whether these might be better suited for your needs.

Is wood pulp the best feedstock for moulded fibre?

While Stora Enso is a world leader in sustainable forestry management, it cannot escape the fact that trees have a multi-year growing cycle. Miscanthus (elephant grass), hemp, bagasse, bamboo, starch and other fibrous agricultural waste byproducts may offer a lower impact and more rapidly renewable feedstock, depending on where you are located.

How will you educate customers on PureFiber’s end-of-life?

Stora Enso promotes the recyclability (in the paper waste stream) of its PureFiber products. However, given one of the main applications is food packaging, you should consider whether your products will be contaminated during use. Given the scale of Stora Enso, it is surprising that the company has not secured compostable certifications for PureFiber.

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