Stora Enso to Develop Recyclable Dispersion Barrier for Paperboard
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Sustainable packaging producer Stora Enso is developing a new dispersion barrier technology for paperboard.
The company is investing approximately EUR 10 million at its Forshaga site in Sweden to develop and produce paperboard with barrier properties that are easier to handle in a recycling process, have a lower carbon footprint and can be compostable in industrial facilities.
The new equipment is expected to come into use during the second quarter of 2021.
Stora Enso Forshaga manufactures and develops barrier solutions that are required in certain packaging, for instance to protect against liquid, moisture, oxygen or fat. Liquid packaging, beverage cups and certain food packaging are some of the products with a barrier that serves to protect the packaged product, while also ensuring that the packaging maintains its user qualities.
The investment in new dispersion technology aims to achieve the desired barrier properties in a more sustainable way.
“Stora Enso wants to minimize the use of fossil-based materials and replace them with renewable solutions based on wood fibre,” says Hannu Kasurinen, executive vice-president of Stora Enso’s packaging materials division.
“By investing in the development of sustainable packaging barriers, we help our customers and consumers become more eco-friendly while creating value in the circular bioeconomy.”
Stora Enso Forshaga has an annual capacity of approximately 120,000 tonnes of barrier coating across two machines/coating lines, with around 100 employees.
Since the beginning of this year, the Forshaga site has also become a competence centre within Stora Enso’s packaging materials division, tasked with producing and developing new bio-based barrier technologies and products.
