Stora Enso Introduces Eco-Friendly Paper Cup Paperboard Innovation

 

Stora Enso (Helsinki, Finland) this week introduced Cupforma Natura Solo™, a renewable paperboard for paper cups. The innovative material is suitable for hot and cold drinking cups, as well as for ice cream packaging. It is produced without a traditional plastic coating layer and designed for full fiber recovery in a recycling process.

Stora Enso has decades of experience in producing and developing high-quality renewable paperboard for cups and is one of the leading suppliers in this area. The company is committed to renewable and circular material solutions, which enable its customers to improve the environmental footprint of food service packaging. Stora Enso is actively developing innovative solutions to support coffee houses and fast food chains in their efforts to respond to consumers’ need for sustainable choices.

"We see strong demand for eco-friendly solutions in today’s food service packaging. Consumers demand convenience, but in a sustainable way. Recycling will reduce the carbon footprint of a paper cup by half, and the entire value chain benefits from innovations in renewable materials. Cupforma Natura Solo is yet another step on our journey to help customers reduce the use of plastics, and to drive the change towards more efficient recycling of food service packaging," says Hannu Kasurinen, SVP, Head of Liquid Packaging and Carton Board, Consumer Board division.

"We have been trialling Cupforma Natura Solo with our customers in Europe and have proved that it works similarly to traditional polyethylene-lined cups, so no new converting technology is needed. In addition, this innovative material can increase the value of used cups in recycling, as the barrier breaks down in a recycling process, and all fibers can be utilized. We are proud to start introducing Cupforma Natura Solo to our customers to further drive renewable and circular solutions and enhance the value of food service packaging," said Ebba Mannheimer, Head of Business, New Barrier Solutions, Consumer Board division.

All Stora Enso Cupforma products are renewable and recyclable and provide a low-carbon alternative to non-renewable materials. A wide barrier selection for different demands is available, as well as support in selecting the best barrier for customers’ needs. In addition to Cupforma Natura Solo, the offering for cups includes the fully renewable Cupforma Natura PE Green, which provides an easy switch from fossil-based polyethylene, as well as the industrially compostable Cupforma Natura Bio. The wood fibre used by Stora Enso is sourced from sustainably managed forests, and forest certification systems are used to ensure traceability and sustainable forestry.